RAA Insurance announced today Tom Griffiths will be promoted to CEO, taking over the role on September 1 from David Russell, who will begin his transition to retirement in a supporting role as GM of Services.

Mr Griffiths is currently RAA Membership and Brand and Group Chief Finance Officer, having steadily risen up the ranks since joining the business in March 2008 as GM Sales and Marketing.

“[He] brings a wealth of experience to the role, including 12 years of putting members first as leader of RAA’s Membership and Brand and Group CFO,” the SA insurer said in a short statement. “[He] has a strong commitment to the SA community, in which RAA plays a leading role.”

RAA says Mr Russell has put the insurer in a strong position, thanking him for the stewardship of the insurance business since taking on the CEO job in 2008.

“During [his] tenure RAA Insurance has recorded a five-fold increase in the dollar value of premiums written annually,” the insurer said, adding it is now the “leading home and motor insurer” in SA.

RAA Insurance has also received numerous industry awards, including this year when it again won the Canstar award for having the most satisfied insurance customers in the home and car insurance segments in SA.

Mr Russell will transition to retirement by providing support to executive management as GM of Services until next year.

RAA has more than 745,000 members, providing them with a range of services including motor and home insurance as well as road support services.