Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has employed Duncan West as chief executive officer of its CGU Insurance division from late January 2008.
West will take the role from Mario Pirone, who has decided to leave IAG to pursue other opportunities.
"Duncan brings a wealth of international industry experience, particularly in commercial insurance, having spent more than 20 years with Royal & SunAlliance and then Promina. Most recently, Duncan was Chief Executive of Vero, Promina's intermediated insurance business, for almost 10 years," IAG chief executive officer Mike Hawker said.
"Duncan is well known and highly regarded in the insurance industry. His depth of experience and proven leadership qualities make him a valuable addition to our organisation," he added.
CGU is an intermediary-based insurer, with a history dating back from the 1860s. IAG acquired CGU in 2003.
On Thursday, the Insurance Council of Australia updated the claims figures for damage following the storms that hit Sydney on 9 December 2007.
As to date, 33,500 estimated claims have been received by the general insurance industry.
IAG said on Wednesday, it has received 13,000 claims.
Shares in IAG closed 6 cents down at $4.33.
