Health insurance company nib has appointed Peter Harmer as an independent non-executive director of its board, effective on July 20, 2021.
Harmer has over 40 years of experience in the Australian and international insurance and financial sectors, including 30 years as a senior executive. He served as the chief executive officer of Insurance Australia Group (IAG), CGU Insurance, Aon Limited UK, Aon Risk Services Australia Pacific, and Aon Re Australia.
Harmer was also the chairman of Aon Re Australia and the London Market Reform Group. Currently, he serves as a non-executive director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
nib chairman Steve Crane expects Harmer's appointment to help the board reflect the right mix of skills and experience to build further on the company's success.
“We're thrilled to welcome Peter to our board. He brings enormous experience as both a company director and executive. He also has an impressive track record in leading organisations through digital transformations, a big priority in the company today,” Crane said.
Now serving on the nib board as an additional director, Harmer will stand for election at the 2021 Annual General Meeting in November.
nib also announced that independent non-executive director David Gordon will replace Crane as nib chairman.
Gordon joined the nib board as a director in 2020. He has over 20 years of experience as a director of public and private companies and has extensive experience in the corporate advisory and financial services sector.
Gordon was previously a director and chair of Ten Network Holdings and held senior roles at Herbert Smith Freehills and boutique investment bank Wentworth Associates. Currently, he serves as the chair of Accent Group Limited and the founding principal of Lexicon Partners.
Gordon thanked Crane for his contribution to nib for over 10 years, adding that he was honoured and excited to assume the role.
“Steve has been instrumental in nib's growth over the last decade and, more recently, has shown great leadership and capability in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring our member, shareholder, employee, and business needs continue to be met,” he said.
“I would like to thank Steve for his dedication to nib during his tenure on the board and wish him all the best in his future endeavours. While he's retiring here, I can't imagine Steve slowing down any time soon. He's simply got too much to offer.”
