Zurich Australia’s general insurance CEO Tim Plant has been elected President of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF).

Mr Plant, who has held the role of deputy president at ANZIIF since 2019, today accepted the presidency as Megan Beer, CEO Australasia at Resolution Life, steps down after a two-year term.

Chief Broking Officer at Austbrokers Ben Bessell takes the Deputy President role, it was announced at the institute’s Annual General Meeting today.

“I am proud and honoured to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that I have been a part of for many years,” Mr Plant said.

“ANZIIF has played a major role in uplifting the professional standards of the insurance industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. I am excited to lead as President and help ANZIIF achieve its vision and strategic goals.”

ANZIIF former president and Steadfast EGM Asia & NZ Allan Reynolds retired from the board during the meeting, as did Marsh & McLennan director Tony Lee and Evari CEO Daniel Fogarty.

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford paid tribute to Ms Beer, who was the first female president of ANZIIF and remains on the board and helped launch the first ever Professional Standards Framework for the life sector during her tenure.

ANZIIF Senior Associate and Gallagher team leader commercial David McKinnis was awarded Honorary Life Membership, while the annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to Noel Donovan and the E.E Vines Prize to John Dawson for his Journal article "What is the difference between conduct risk, risk culture and organisational culture?"

Accompanying Mr Plant, Mr Bessell, Ms Beer and Ms Willsford on the board are: Sedgwick Australia CEO Diego Ascani, Austbrokers Countrywide MD Tim Considine, Suncorp Group New Zealand EGM People Experience Catherine Dixon, Munich Re Australasia COO Simone Dossetor, QBE Australia/New Zealand chief strategy officer Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Ando Insurance CEO John Lyon and AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu.