Bryce Hatton has become GM Group Business Services for Stream Group, covering the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

It comes as Stream moves closer to a merger with loss adjuster Cerno.

Mr Hatton will remain based in Brisbane, where he previously served as Stream GM Australia. “My new role is moving over to a group focus,” he said.

He will oversee group functions such as human resources, IT, research and development and branding and marketing.

Stream has a small “back-room” operation in Manila, where it employs about 25 staff.

It is now finalising its merger with Cerno, creating a company that will employ 300 people in Australia and 130 overseas.

“We hope to have a new brand and logo to present to the market by mid-November,” Mr Hatton told insuranceNEWS.com.au.