The Insurance Council of Australia’s (ICA) departing Head of Government and Stakeholder Relations Richard Shields has been appointed to the Professional Standards Councils.

Mr Shields was nominated this year for a three-year term by Federal Government Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar.

The councils are independent statutory bodies with powers to assess and approve applications from associations for professional standards schemes. Council members come from areas including law, accounting, insurance, property management and company directorship.

The ICA said last month that Mr Shields would be stepping down in early 2021, with the group combining its Government and Stakeholder Relations and Communications teams into one Public Affairs group.

Mr Shields has previously held a range of external relations, political and advisory roles. He is also a former deputy state director with the Liberal Party (NSW Division).