Austbrokers Divisional Chief Executive Nigel Thomas will depart AUB Group effective next month after his position was made redundant.

AUB Group CEO Mike Emmett sent a message to the network yesterday announcing the decision as he takes a more hands-on role in overseeing the Austbrokers business.

“I’m passionate about restoring the Austbrokers legacy and recovering our leadership in the market,” he says in the message.

“Part of this, I believe, is the need for me as the Group CEO to be in close and direct contact with our broking and underwriting principals and for us to evolve the way in which we co-ordinate activities across the group.”

He says that in light of this, there is no longer a need for another senior role co-ordinating Austbrokers activities.

Mr Thomas, who has extensive experience in the insurance industry, joined AUB group in 2013 and took an expanded management role at Austbrokers at the end of last year.

“I’d like to thank Nigel for his significant contribution and loyal service to Austbrokers over the past six years,” Mr Emmett said.

“I’ve worked closely with him over the past eight months and have enjoyed getting to know him and working with him.”

Mr Emmett, who replaced Mark Searles as AUB Group CEO in March, has shifted away from a previous diversification strategy to refocus on the core broking and underwriting agency operations.