Retired QBE Europe CEO Steven Burns has joined the Novae Group as an independent non-executive director.

 

Taking up the role on March 31, Burns will be part of the company’s audit and risk committees and the board of Novae Syndicates Limited.

 

“Steven has broad experience of the global insurance industry, and in particular the Lloyd’s market, and we look forward to his contribution to our business,” said John Hastings-Bass, Novae Group chairman.

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Burns has more than 30 years of industry experience. Apart from heading QBE’s operations in Europe, he was also the CEO of the insurer’s Lloyd’s business. He previously served as a non-executive member of Lloyd’s Franchise Board and of the Council of Lloyd’s.

 

In 2013, Burns made news when he withdrew his decision to relocate to Sydney and take up the group CFO role at QBE.

 

According to Business Insider Australia, Burns opted to retire instead due to “personal reasons.” The report said that after taking a short sabbatical, he then served as non-executive director for the boards of QBE Australia and Asia-Pacific, and it’s Global Shared Services Centre in the Philippines.