The role of Lloyd’s Australia and New Zealand Regional Head Chris Mackinnon has been expanded to include Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa (APMEA).

This is in addition to his local Regional Head responsibilities and his role as Lloyd’s Australia and Vanuatu General Representative.

Under the extended brief, Mr Mackinnon will deputise for APMEA Regional Director Iain Ferguson as required and support him in APMEA region activities.

“Please join me in wishing Chris every success in his expanded role,” Mr Ferguson said.

The change will focus more senior management resources on Lloyd’s APMEA region market objectives and initiatives, he says.

Mr Mackinnon tells insuranceNEWS.com.au that after the promotion takes effect on April 3 it will be “business as usual in Australia and New Zealand,” while allowing him to play a greater role in rolling out Lloyd’s commercial strategy across the region.

"We have a very strong team here now which frees me up to address the regional strategy. I’m really excited about it,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for me to step up and be more involved. It gives us more management bandwidth across the region.”

Sydney-based Mr Mackinnon began his current role in early 2015, and is also a director at the Insurance Council of Australia and Underwriting Agencies Council. He was formerly CEO at Gow-Gates Insurance Brokers and held senior roles at Gallagher, Aon and Marsh.

Over the last eight years he has supported the Lloyd’s market’s growth and presence in Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu during significant regulatory reform and challenging climate-related claims events, Lloyd’s says.