The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has begun the search for a successor to CEO Kerrie Kelly, who will leave the organisation in January.

Ms Kelly has resigned to become Director-General of the Association of British Insurers and will start work in London in February.

On Friday she told insuranceNEWS.com.au that since joining the Insurance Council three years ago “I have structured the organisation to ensure it was focused on delivering the council’s mission statement”.

“This focus meant that the public policy areas of the Insurance Council and the members committee structure were enhanced, with the result that the Insurance Council has become a major contributor to public policy debates in Australia.”

ICA President and Allianz Australia MD Terry Towell paid tribute on Friday to Ms Kelly’s “substantial contribution” to the general insurance industry.