Wesfarmers Insurance MD Robert Scott has become the new President of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) for the next two years.

QBE Australia Asia Pacific CEO Vince McLenaghan will serve as Deputy President for that period.

Mr Scott has been on the ICA board since February 2009 and was Deputy President last year.

He says building better relationships with consumers to increase awareness of insurance will be a goal for the next two years.

“The general insurance industry provides crucial support to the Australian community in times of need,” he said in a statement.

“I am particularly keen to continue the excellent research and lobbying work already undertaken across a broad range of issues from taxation reform, regulatory settings, disaster planning and management and resilient communities.”

Mr Scott says he also wants ICA to “take more of a lead role on issues that are of importance to our consumers”.