American International Group (AIG), the global insurance and finance company, has announced the appointment of Grant Cairns (pictured above) as CEO of AIG Australia and head of Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). According to a media release, Cairns will start on November 01.

His appointment follows the departure of Nigel Fitzgerald, who left the AIG CEO role in March to become Steadfast Group COO.

“Grant is a strategic leader with extensive underwriting expertise across multiple lines, with established relationships and a deep understanding of the Australian and New Zealand market,” said Chris Colahan, regional president of Asia Pacific. Cairns will report to Colahan, who started in his role in May.

The release referred to Cairns’ “deep commercial, operational and strategic expertise” with more than two decades’ experience across Asia, Europe and the Pacific. He joins AIG from Chubb where he was head of property and casualty, Asia Pacific.

“I’m delighted to be joining AIG and look forward to working with the Australian and New Zealand team to continue to drive sustainable growth,” said Cairns.

AIG operates in about 70 countries worldwide including Australia and New Zealand.