Vivek Bhatia (pictured), the Australia Pacific chief executive at QBE Insurance Group, is leaving the insurer this month after two and a half years.

In an August 07 regulatory filing, QBE revealed that Bhatia has decided to make the switch to Link Group, the offerings of which include superannuation administration services and fund management.

“During his time with QBE, Vivek has continued to strengthen our operations in Australia Pacific and driven strong financial performance,” noted group chief executive officer Pat Regan. “I would like to thank Vivek for his contribution and wish him well with this new opportunity.”

Taking on the interim role of managing director Australia is Frank Costigan, who currently serves as chief customer officer of QBE’s personal lines business in Australia Pacific. Together with New Zealand & Pacific CEO and chief customer officer Declan Moore, he will assume interim responsibility for the Australia Pacific division.

Costigan brings more than three decades of financial services experience to the post, while Moore has over 25 years of insurance experience and became chief executive and chief customer officer for New Zealand & Pacific in 2019.

Regan, meanwhile, will be taking on greater oversight of operations in the group’s home market and will work closely with Costigan and Moore while a succession process is underway.