AUB-owned broking firm InterRisk has appointed an interim MD to take over from Phil Kearns, who has left the role this week as the group undertakes wider reforms.

Mr Kearns has led the Sydney-based firm since 2015 and is credited on its website with transforming InterRisk into a multi-million dollar business.

AUB Group MD Mike Emmett says InterRisk Head of Broking John Mutton has taken on leadership of the business on an interim basis after a “mutual decision” was reached with Mr Kearns. The change took effect yesterday.

“This is part of a renewed and refreshed focus on corporate and middle market across AUB and it will form the cornerstone of what we will be branding as Austbrokers Corporate,” Mr Emmett told insuranceNEWS.com.au today.

AUB Group is expected to release more details on its plans later this week.

Mr Kearns was CEO at Centric Wealth and held senior positions across divisions at South African-based investment bank Investec before joining InterRisk.

The former Wallabies rugby union skipper played 67 tests for Australia from 1989 to 1999.

Mr Mutton joined the firm in 2005 and was managing principal before being appointed Head of Broking two years ago. He was awarded the National Insurance Brokers Association Broker of the Year award in 2014.

AUB holds a 90.5% stake in InterRisk Australia and its controlled entities as of June 30, according to its annual report, up from 79% two years ago. It acquired a controlling shareholding in InterRisk in 2013.