Prue Willsford began work as CEO of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance last week.

She takes over from Joan Fitzpatrick, who will retire at the end of the year.

Ms Willsford was previously GM corporate operations at the Victorian Government-owned State Trustees and has also worked for Macquarie Bank, Colonial Mutual and NAB.

She is Deputy Chancellor of Victoria University and a director of environmental and infrastructure company Citywide Service Solutions.