ABI appoints Kerrie Kelly as director general

Wednesday, 4 November 2009 12:00 AM

The Association of British Insurers has appointed Kerrie Kelly as its new Director General, it announced today. Ms Kelly will take up the role in February 2010.

Kerrie Kelly is currently Executive Director and CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia and is a respected figure in the international insurance world. She is a lawyer who has held senior executive positions in the private and public sectors with considerable experience working in the fields of banking and finance, and transport. She has led the Insurance Council of Australia since 2006 and was previously CEO of the Financial Planning Association in Australia. She currently holds several non-executive directorships in Australia including HSBC Bank Australia, the Financial Literacy Advisory Board, the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Finance Industry Council of Australia.

The ABI's Chairman, Archie Kane, who led the recruitment process, said:

"Kerrie is a proven and energetic leader whose success across the commercial, legal and public sectors will ensure the ABI has a strong and powerful voice at its helm at a crucial time for the insurance industry. Along with her leadership experience, Kerrie will bring a unique perspective to the public policy debate in the UK and EU, and her lobbying expertise will ensure the insurance voice is heard in Westminster and Brussels.

"Kerrie has a proven record of representing the insurance industry at the very highest levels and brings a strong network of international contacts which will prove particularly valuable as we navigate major areas of global regulation and supervision. I am delighted Kerrie is joining the ABI and have every confidence the organisation will go from strength to strength during her time as Director General.

"I would also like to thank Stephen Haddrill for his very significant contribution to the ABI over the last four and a half years and wish him well in his new role at the Financial Reporting Council."

Kerrie Kelly said:

"The ABI is a trade association with a strong reputation for effectiveness, policy strength and Board leadership. Stephen Haddrill has been a highly effective leader and ensured the ABI has punched its weight. I am determined to do the same and I am delighted to lead the ABI forward at such a crucial time for the insurance industry and the future of financial services generally."

- ENDS -

Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. A photograph of Kerrie Kelly is available on the ABI web site, www.abi.org.uk, or can be emailed on request.

3. As Executive Director and CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia Limited, Kerrie Kelly re-positioned the Insurance Council's strategic direction through the development and implementation of the industry's strategic blueprints. This has involved leading the insurance industry's role in areas such as climate change and flooding, personal injury management and compensation, disaster and recovery planning and community safety and support. During her tenure, Kerrie Kelly has led the industry's response to natural catastrophes such as the Victorian bushfires (February 2009) and Brisbane storms (December 2008). She also led a significant overhaul of the industry's approach to flooding, including delivery of the industry's National Flood Information Database.

4. Before joining the Insurance Council, Kerrie Kelly was CEO of the Financial Planning Association of Australia Limited (2003-2006); Executive, National Corporate Actions, ASX Perpetual Registrars Limited (2001-2003); National Director, Trustee Corporations Association of Australia (1997-2001); Director, Corporate Secretariat, Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales (1995-97); Strategy Manager, Northern Region, Roads and Traffic Authority (1993-95); Director, K & D Thompson Pty Limited, (1992 secondment), Senior Manager, Retail Banking, ANZ Banking Group (1990-92); General Manager, Trust Services, ANZ Executors & Trustee Company Limited (1989-90); General Counsel, ANZ Executors & Trustee Company Limited (1987-89); Associate Partner, M. John Kelly & Sons and Solicitor, Rigby & Fielding (1979-1987). She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and in the High Court of Australia in March 1979.

5. The executive search was carried out by Taylor Bennett, reporting to Archie Kane, ABI Chairman and an appointments panel comprising Otto Thoresen, Group Chief Executive, Aegon UK, Chris Sullivan, Chairman, RBS Insurance and Chief Executive, UK Corporate Banking, RBS and Andrew Moss, Group Chief Executive, Aviva.

6. Stephen Haddrill leaves the ABI on November 13 2009. Maggie Craig, ABI Director of Life & Savings will be the Acting Director General in the interim period, reporting to Archie Kane, ABI Chairman.

7. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK's capital. They are the risk managers of the UK's economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

8. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

9. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.

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