An Australian insurance giant has appointed an IT leader with nearly 30 years’ experience leading the provision of front, middle, and back-office systems solutions to the financial sector to a C-suite role.

Mike Wood will join Allianz Australia on March 18 as its chief information officer (CIO), to lead a wide range of IT initiatives across the organisation’s Australia and New Zealand businesses. He will report to David Krawitz, Allianz chief operating officer.

Prior to the appointment, Wood was CIO for Westpac International Bank. He also served as CIO for Westpac Retail and Business Bank and CIO of Lloyds International.

Wood “brings with him exceptional experience and expertise in IT operations globally and locally,” Krawitz said. “Mike joins us at a particularly important time as we are implementing significant change across Allianz’s IT delivery to improve both our customer and employee experience. Mike’s extensive experience aligning business goals with IT strategy and leading cross-divisional teams will make him an instrumental member of our leadership team.”

Wood will replace current CIO Thomas Ruedesheim, who will be returning to Europe in May to take a new role with the Allianz Group.