O’Farrell will adopt a part-time role during the transition period, which will begin on 1 January 2021

Colin O’Farrell, chief underwriting officer for insurance at QBE International, has confirmed that he will be retiring at the end of the year.

O’Farrell will be succeeded by Nick Hankin, currently QBE’s deputy chief underwriting officer. Hankin will take up the underwriting mantle in an interim capacity as part of a planned transition period from 1 January 2021 – O’Farrell will assume a part-time role during the transition.

Hankin joined QBE in March as group head of underwriting governance. Prior to joining the insurer, he worked as chief underwriting officer for commercial lines at rival Aviva UK.

He has expertise in underwriting, P&L, risk and governance across UK, European and global insurance markets.

Exceptional business leader

O’Farrell has spent the past 34 years of his 36-year career at QBE.

QBE International chief executive Richard Pryce said: “Colin has been an exceptional business leader who has assisted in ensuring QBE European Operations’s standing in the market today.

“His focus on underwriting performance leaves QBE well placed for the future. I would like to thank him personally, and on behalf of the board, for his contribution.”