Accident and Health International (AHI) GM Kevin Kinsella will hand over to the next generation on June 30, retiring after about 50 years in the industry.

“The Australian insurance industry has been very good to me over the years, and while I am sad to be leaving I am thrilled the industry is in such safe hands,” Mr Kinsella said.

After 20 years climbing the corporate ladder at Royal Insurance Group in Melbourne, Mr Kinsella moved to Sydney in 1984 as operations manager.

In the 1990s he worked as GM at GIO and MD at Gerling Insurance.

Mr Kinsella joined AHI in 2004 as GM, and has helped grow the business across Australia.

CEO Peter Banks says Mr Kinsella and his “razor-sharp wit” will be greatly missed by staff and the wider insurance community.

“He has mentored countless staff at AHI, from young recruits right up to AHI’s management,” Mr Banks said. “The result has been positive, with a large portion of staff being with the company for more than a decade.

“He doesn’t come from the ‘computer says no’ generation. Kevin has always encouraged our people to go the extra mile to underwrite risk, if it makes strong business sense.

“Our reputation as a flexible, can-do company has a lot to do with his management over the past decade.”

Mr Kinsella says insurers’ biggest challenge is digital transformation, which AHI is doing through the creation of its own app and online doctor service TeleHealth.

He is looking forward to spending more time with his family, but will consider a board position if the right opportunity arises.

“After half a century in an industry, you usually know a thing or two,” Mr Kinsella said. “I’d be happy to share my experience.”