QBE names CEO for North America

QBE has appointed Julie Wood as CEO of the corporate’s North America division.

Wood, who joined QBE in 2023 as group head of distribution, had been serving as interim CEO because the exit of predecessor Todd Jones in August.

She beforehand held senior roles at Marsh, the place she served as a member of the corporate’s US government committee. Prior to Marsh, Wood spent greater than 15 years in senior government roles at Zurich Insurance Group, together with in international buyer administration and underwriting management.

“Julie brings deep trade experience with a powerful buyer focus, underwriting experience and data of the North America market,” Andrew Horton, QBE group CEO mentioned.

Wood is anticipated to proceed the insurer’s North American deal with crop, specialty, and industrial insurance coverage.

“Her appointment highlights the bench power of excessive caliber leaders inside QBE and displays the main focus we have now on expertise and management,” Horton mentioned.

Wood’s appointment stays topic to regulatory approval and she or he stays on the insurer’s group government committee, reporting to Horton.

Wood joins QBE North America as CEO on again of ‘disappointing’ half

QBE North America reported gross written premiums (GWP) of $5 billion within the first half of 2023, which noticed the division slammed by disaster hits.

In an unique interview with Insurance Business following the outcomes dialogue, Horton mentioned that whereas there was extra work to do on the US enterprise, “it’s a much more straightforward business than it’s ever been.”

“It’s not that many lines of business, so we haven’t got too many areas to focus on to improve it,” he advised Insurance Business in August.

What do you anticipate to see from Julie Wood within the QBE North America CEO position? Leave a remark under.