NSW state insurer icare is searching for a CEO to take over from Richard Harding, who will step down in October seeking a shift in career focus. 

Mr Harding joined icare in 2021 during a tumultuous period for the workers’ compensation provider. Former CEO John Nagle had departed the previous year after a NSW parliamentary committee grilling over icare's financial and operational performance, with Don Ferguson then appointed on an interim basis. 

Chairman John Robertson says icare has introduced a new claims model under Mr Harding that will improve outcomes for injured workers, and the insurer is in a “solid position” to keep improving. 

“Richard’s leadership has been unwavering, with a focus on ensuring the organisation is providing the best possible outcomes for the people relying on the insurance schemes operated by icare,” Mr Robertson said last Wednesday. 

“He has shown resilience during some challenging times, resetting the organisation’s focus, stabilising performance and delivering on public expectations.” 

Mr Harding, who previously led Auckland-based Tower, says he will continue to drive progress at icare over the next six months, while ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader. 

“After 17 years as a CEO across three insurers with strong community-oriented purposes, I have decided that now is the right time to use my experience in a different way,” he said in a LinkedIn post. “I’m looking forward to my next step, helping insurers and businesses deal with the ever-changing environment in which we operate, and I’ve already started this journey by joining the Ansvar Australia board recently.”