Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) CEO Prue Willsford will step down at the end of the year after a decade in the role.

“I feel strongly that organisations such as ANZIIF benefit from the fine balance of stability and renewal, and, after a decade, it feels like the right time for me to leave ANZIIF in the capable hands of our talented teams,” she said today.

“I leave with many achievements that I am truly proud of and the knowledge that ANZIIF is set to fulfil its aims.”

ANZIIF says Ms Willsford has been pivotal in leading a new education model, the improvement of professional frameworks, upholding professional standards and maintaining the industry’s commitment to professional development.

“It has been a pleasure working with Prue over the past years and the board appreciates the enormous contribution she has made to ANZIIF and the industry more generally,” President Tim Plant said.

The board will next month start the formal process to appoint a new CEO.

Before joining ANZIIF in 2013 Ms Willsford was GM Corporate Operations at State Trustees and was Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University. She has also worked for National Australia Bank, Colonial Mutual and Macquarie.