Former Royal & SunAlliance Australia chief Duncan Boyle has become CEO of the company’s British operations. He replaces Paul Spencer, who left the company suddenly and resigned as a director of R&SA’s main board.

Mr Boyle, who ran the company’s Australian operations for several years, was transferred back to London in 1999 to become MD of the UK commercial division.

The London-based Insurance Times said Mr Spencer left the company after it failed to find a credible buyer for its life and pensions business.