AA Insurance has announced the appointment of Vanessa Leishman to the role of chief risk officer, effective Tuesday October 29.
Leishman is an experienced enterprise leader and joins AA Insurance direct from ASB. She has worked across all three lines of defence and brings a wealth of multi-sector experience, having also held roles at ANZ, Fairfax Media, Spark New Zealand, and PwC.
The AA Insurance chief risk officer role has previously been held by Helen McNeil, who has led the risk functions for both AA Insurance and its major shareholder, Suncorp New Zealand.
Leishman’s appointment follows a period of significant growth for AA Insurance, during which the business had expanded to a level where a dedicated CRO was now essential.
AA Insurance chief executive Michelle James said: “We are delighted to welcome Vanessa to our leadership team. Her deep understanding of risk and compliance will help ensure we continue to safeguard our business, customers, and communities as we navigate a fast-evolving risk landscape.
“I would like to also acknowledge Helen McNeil, who will continue in her role as Suncorp CRO and who has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for this next phase in AA Insurance’s journey,” she said.
Leishman said: “I am thrilled to be joining the AA Insurance team … AA Insurance is an iconic and trusted brand that is committed to maintaining the highest standards in risk management … I look forward to contributing to the great work already under way by Michelle and the wider team.”
Leishman’s 20+ years of experience in risk management leadership have given her expertise in a range of sectors, including financial services, media and telecommunications. She is a values-driven leader, with a reputation for building high performing and engaged teams.
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