Ben Morgan has been promoted to the role of CEO at Allianz Marine & Transit Underwriting Agency (AM&T), effective next month.

Mr Morgan replaces Sydney-based Stephen Ford, who departs the business after a decade.

Allianz Australia GM Underwriting Agencies Jenny Bax says Mr Ford helped establish AM&T’s high-performing team in a complex industry segment.

“Stephen’s unwavering dedication will be missed by the Allianz family and he leaves with our best wishes,” she said.

Brisbane-based Mr Morgan has almost two decades of experience in marine insurance, spending the past nine years at AM&T across a variety of roles in sales, underwriting and management, and most recently occupying the position of GM Underwriting.

“Ben’s deep knowledge of marine insurance, combined with his diligence and overall passion for the industry and for AM&T, makes him a natural fit as the agency’s new leader,” Ms Bax said.

Under Mr Ford’s leadership, Allianz has established itself as a leading participant in the Australian marine insurance market. He helped establish Allianz’s offering in 2012, formerly headed Associated Marine and was also previously Regional VP - Marine, Asia Pacific at Ace (now Chubb).

The departure of Mr Ford at the end of this month and the search for a new CEO was announced in March and he told insuranceNEWS.com.au today he is “simply taking some time out”.

In a note to brokers, Mr Ford had said establishing and then leading AM&T was “a wonderful working experience” but it was “time to refresh” and “new energy and fresh ideas will keep the business driving forward”.