Helen Rowell has been appointed Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) Deputy Chairman.

Ms Rowell, a former Actuaries Institute president who became APRA Executive Member in 2013, replaces Ian Laughlin, who left at the end of June.

Former Suncorp Life CEO Geoff Summerhayes has been appointed Executive Member.

He will have a particular focus on the regulator’s general, life and private health insurance activities.

APRA Chairman Wayne Byres says Mr Summerhayes will bring to APRA “a great deal of commercial acumen and experience. I look forward to working with Helen and Geoff to ensure APRA continues to perform its responsibilities effectively and efficiently.”

Ms Rowell holds the Deputy Chairman position until June 30 2018, while Mr Summerhayes’ term runs for five years from January 1.