Willis Towers Watson has appointed Lee Garvey to the newly created position of Head of Financial Solutions for Australia and New Zealand as the New Year brings a number of personnel changes across the insurance industry.

Mr Garvey will oversee development of products including credit and non-payment insurance, political risk cover, commercial surety, terrorism and political violence and lenders insurance advisory.

“We see tremendous opportunities for banks and corporates in Australia and New Zealand to benefit from our financial solutions products, particularly credit and political risk insurance,” Regional Financial Solutions Head Fabien Conderanne said.

“Lee brings an invaluable experience, having worked in the market for many years with large financial institutions and corporates."

Mr Garvey, most recently Head of Lenders Solutions Group, Asia at Marsh, is returning to Willis Towers Watson, where he previously worked in 2012.

Initially he will be based in Singapore, supporting regional initiatives, before transferring to Sydney.

At IAG, COVID-19 Response Team Crisis Director Suzanne Storrie has left after five years at the group, with the COVID response team now being rolled into business as usual operations.

Ms Storrie, who joined the insurer in 2016 as EGM Operational Partnering, has co-founded UnRetreat, which offers multi-day wellbeing programs to assist executives and leaders, according to her LinkedIn page.

IAG is continuing its search for heads for its new direct and intermediated divisions after CEO Nick Hawkins announced an Australian business restructure in early November.

Strata insurer CHU has appointed Renee Betton as NSW/ACT State Manager after Kimberley Jonsson, who previously held the position, was last year promoted to CEO.

Ms Betton has been with CHU for nine years in various roles, including more than two years as Underwriting Manager NSW/ACT.

Heavy motor and passenger transport underwriter ATL has appointed Chenoa Alman as SA Development Underwriter as the firm expands its team.

Ms Alman has 12 years’ experience in the industry in the direct market, brokerage, workers’ compensation and underwriting.

Insurance systems firm BAIS last week named David Farrer as Chief Technology Officer, with responsibility for developing a roadmap to ensure the group meets the evolving needs of the industry.