Suncorp New Zealand CEO to take up new executive role at Group headquarters
1 July 2020
Suncorp New Zealand CEO Paul Smeaton will be leaving the New Zealand business later this month to take up a newly created role as Chief Operating Officer - Insurance in Brisbane as part of a wider set of executive changes announced today.
Suncorp New Zealand’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Higgins will step in as Acting CEO of Suncorp New Zealand while the business undertakes an internal and external recruitment process.
Mr 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.
In announcing his move Mr Smeaton said he was very proud of the part Suncorp New Zealand plays in the overall performance of the Suncorp Group and acknowledged the New Zealand team’s support and hard work during his tenure.
“I’m hugely excited about this next step in Suncorp’s evolution and feel privileged to be trusted with helping to take the organisation to the next level. I also look forward to seeing the New Zealand business go from strength to strength in the future.”
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.
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