NSW state insurer icare has started the search for a new CEO while Group Executive Don Ferguson temporarily takes on the role following the departure of John Nagle earlier this month.

A spokesman for the insurer told insuranceNEWS.com.au the board has initiated an independent executive search and recruitment process for the permanent role of CEO and MD.

Mr Nagle quit immediately after a grilling from a NSW parliamentary committee over his approach to conflicts of interest and the performance of icare’s workers’ compensation scheme.

A review of the scheme has begun, led by retired Supreme Court judge Robert McDougall. The NSW Government brought the scheduled five-year review forward and expanded its scope to include a “root and branch” examination of the insurer.

Mr McDougall will review, among other things, the operations, structure, finances, management and culture of the workers’ compensation scheme and report back to the Government.

Mr Ferguson acknowledges the “turbulent time icare is going through” and “the associated concerns with the performance of the NSW workers’ compensation scheme”.

He says icare’s management is committed to finding solutions to improve the organisation.

“While intentions have been in the right place, icare hasn’t always got things right from a process, delivery and transparency perspective,” Mr Ferguson said.

“I am focused on ensuring our organisation uses this challenging period as an opportunity to learn and provide better outcomes for our customers.”

Before his appointment as interim CEO, Mr Ferguson’s role involved leading various functions including human resources, enterprise strategy, legal, risk, audit and communication and stakeholder engagement.

He joined icare in 2013 as EGM Lifetime Care and Support Authority NSW.