QBE Insurance Group has appointed Melanie Willis AM as an independent non-executive director to its Group Board, while naming Dave Curran as the next chair of its Australia Pacific Board as part of a broader governance reshuffle.
Willis will join the QBE Group Board from September 1, subject to regulatory approvals, and will step down as chair of the Australia Pacific Board. She currently serves as a director of Pexa, where she chairs the audit and risk committee, and also chairs the people & remuneration committee at Challenger.
She will be succeeded by Dave Curran, who currently serves as the board’s independent non-executive director and chair of its risk and capital committee. He will take on the role from September 1 as well.
Curran has experience across technology, finance and business transformation, as well as knowledge of QBE and its Australia Pacific operations.
The insurer also appointed Sally Bruce as an independent non-executive director to the Australia Pacific Board effective September 1, subject to regulatory approvals.
Bruce has more than 35 years of experience across financial services and technology, including senior leadership roles at Macquarie Group, National Australia Bank, AMP and Culture Amp.
QBE chair Yasmin Allen AM said the appointments were part of the insurer’s board renewal and would maintain a mix of skills and experience across its governance structures. “These appointments reflect QBE’s ongoing focus on Board renewal and maintaining the right mix of skills, experience and perspectives,” Allen said.
The changes come as QBE prepares for the retirement of Australia Pacific CEO Sue Houghton at the end of 2026. Houghton has been with QBE for more than five years and has more than 35 years of experience in financial services. The Group also recently welcomed Christopher Harris as an independent non-executive director.
