The board of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) underwent significant change at its annual meeting last week.

Zurich Australia’s local CEO of general insurance Tim Plant was elected as new ANZIIF President and Ben Bessell, Chief Broking Officer at Austbrokers, ascended to the deputy president role.

“ANZIIF has played a major role in uplifting the professional standards of the insurance industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. I am excited to lead as president and help ANZIIF achieve its vision and strategic goals,” Mr Plant said.

Mr Plant, who has held the role of deputy president at ANZIIF since 2019, accepted the top role as Megan Beer, CEO Australasia at Resolution Life, stepped down after a two-year term.

ANZIIF CEO and board member Prue Willsford paid tribute to Ms Beer, who was the first female president of ANZIIF and remains on the board. She helped launch the first ever Professional Standards Framework for the life sector during her tenure.

Also on the ANZIIF board are Sedgwick Australia CEO Diego Ascani, Austbrokers Countrywide MD Tim Considine, Suncorp Group New Zealand EGM People Experience Catherine Dixon, Munich Re Australasia COO Simone Dossetor, QBE Australia/New Zealand Chief Strategy Officer Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Ando Insurance CEO John Lyon and AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu.

Former president and Steadfast EGM Asia & NZ Allan Reynolds retired from the board, as did Marsh & McLennan director Tony Lee and Evari CEO Daniel Fogarty.