Australia's insurance council reveals new CEO replacing Rob Whelan

The Board of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has appointed Andrew Hall as the new chief executive officer and executive director of the insurance council.

Outgoing CEO Rob Whelan will continue to serve until further notice.

Hall joins the ICA from the Commonwealth Bank, where he has spent the past seven years as executive general manager for corporate affairs. He will assume his new role in early September.

Insurance council president and chairman Gary Dransfield said that Hall’s corporate affairs and public policy experience would be critical in driving the ICA and the general insurance industry through the challenges of Australia’s pandemic recovery and a raft of regulatory, consumer and economic issues.

“Andrew’s appointment follows an extensive national recruitment process, and the Board is pleased he has agreed to join the organisation. His wealth of experience is a natural fit for this role,” said Dransfield. “His corporate knowledge, and his understanding of customers, the regulatory and political environments and the financial services sector, will help him chart the ICA’s advocacy program to elevate the value of insurance both to our economy and our society.”

Hall said: “General insurance plays a vital role in the Australian economy and will be crucial as we recover from the dual hits of the pandemic and bushfire crisis. Insurance will also need to continue tackling the challenges of climate change and important regulatory changes, while also transitioning to the new Code of Practice, which must meet and exceed community expectations.

“I am delighted to join the ICA which has a strong reputation for staunch advocacy on behalf of the industry, its customers and the Australian community more broadly.”

Dransfield added: “On behalf of the ICA Board I thank Rob for his contribution to the industry and the ICA for the past decade. We are grateful he is able to continue in his role for several months until Andrew is able to start at the organisation.”