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Peter Harmer

Peter has a deep understanding of the global insurance and reinsurance markets, having led IAG, the largest general insurance company in Australia and New Zealand, with A$12 billion in annual premium revenue and employing over 13,500 people. His executive experience in leading successful turnarounds, growth agendas, major acquisitions and industry roll-ups span Australia and the UK.

Peter’s focus has been on creating purposeful belief within companies, building talent, simplifying operations, establishing sharper attention on customers, driving technology solutions and embedding adaptability. With this background, he is set on playing a critical role in the Australian – and potentially global – economy, through supporting individuals and organisations that have a clear sense of their purpose.

Starting with a number of claims and underwriting roles at South British United and C E Health, Peter opened the Melbourne office of John C Lloyd (later to become Aon Re), rising to become Chief Executive and APAC Regional Manager of Aon. Subsequently Peter was appointed MD and CEO at Aon Limited in the UK, and a member of the global Group Executive Board. Peter’s 10-year career with IAG commenced as CEO of a subsidiary, CGU, which underwrote brokered commercial and intermediated personal lines. After a brief stint as CEO and Chief Digital Officer at IAG Labs, he was promoted to MD and CEO of the entire ASX 20 company.

 

His successes in this critical role included accelerating digital engagement with customers, exiting underperforming assets, adopting a more productive operating system, growing assets and capability around various platforms, establishing businesses in mobility and home services adjacencies to integrate with insurance offerings, and building out the capital platform to more strategically recognise the value of reinsurance.

 

Peter is an Independent Non-Executive Director at Commonwealth Bank, nib Group, AUB Group Limited; Chair at Lawcover, and Advisory Council Member at Bain & Company.

Peter and Rose have been married for nearly forty years; they have three adult children and a grandson. Peter enjoys fishing, golf, travel, and cooking.