New chief executive international appointed as QBE’s Richard Pryce set to retire

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Pryce’s career in insurance spans 35 years, seven of which were spent at QBE

QBE Insurance Group has appointed Jason Harris as its new chief executive international succeeding Richard Pryce who is set to retire at the end of the year.

Harris will begin his role in Q4 this year when he will begin the transition with Pryce, and will be based in the London office.

He will report to group chief executive Pat Regan, and his role will form part of the group executive committee.

Harris joins from Axa XL where he held the position of chief executive – global property and casualty with responsibility for financial lines, construction, engineering, ART (annual renewable term) and risk engineering.

Strong background

Before Axa XL Harris was chief executive international property and casualty at XL Catlin in the UK with responsibility for its property and liability business outside of North America.

He has also worked at Chartis Insurance – AIG’s property and casualty unit – in several senior roles including executive director, commercial lines.

Harris has a background in underwriting but began his career in offshore energy. His career in the insurance industry has spanned more than 25 years including working at Chubb for nine years in a number of roles.

“[Harris] has a very strong background in people leadership, business performance and underwriting. His broad global commercial lines experience equips him well to oversee the continued success of our International Operations, which are core to our global business,” Regan said. “I am confident that [Harris] will continue to build the technical expertise and customer focus we are known for. I am excited to have Jason as part of our team.”

Long and distinguished

Meanwhile Regan said that Pryce has enjoyed a “long and distinguished career” in insurance over a 35-year period, this includes seven years leading QBE’s European Operations and more recently the operations in Asia as part of the creation of the International Division in 2019.

Regan added: “We have been actively working with Richard on his succession planning as he prepared for his retirement. I am delighted to announce that Jason Harris has accepted the role of [chief executive] international. [Harris] will commence in Q4 2020, subject to the required regulatory approvals, and [Pryce] will leave QBE in early 2021.

“Pryce has been an integral member of the group executive committee, very successfully leading our European operations and more recently the newly created international division. He has been a huge source of advice and wise counsel to me. I will miss him greatly and wish him the very best in his retirement.”