Suncorp New Zealand CEO Paul Smeaton is leaving the New Zealand business to take up a newly-created role as Chief Operating Officer – Insurance in Brisbane.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Higgins will step in as Acting CEO while the recruitment of a successor is undertaken by the insurer.
Smeaton’s new role takes effect on 20 July 2020 and will have accountability for claims management, operations and projects for Insurance Australia as well as procurement and real estate across the wider group.
Smeaton joined Suncorp in 1994 and has held senior positions within information technology, corporate projects, human resources, facilities and general insurance. He took up the role of CEO Vero Insurance (later Suncorp New Zealand) in 2015.
Suncorp’s full announcement about changes to its business are here.