QBE Insurance Group announced on Wednesday that Sue Houghton, chief executive officer, Australia Pacific, intends to retire at the end of 2026.
Houghton will remain in the role while QBE undertakes a search for her successor, with the group saying the arrangement is intended to ensure an orderly transition and continuity of leadership.
She has been with QBE for more than five years and has a financial services career spanning more than 35 years. During her tenure, QBE said Houghton helped strengthen the Australia Pacific business, including through improvements in performance, capability, culture and customer outcomes
The company also credited her with leading a modernisation agenda and helping position the business for long-term success in a changing market environment.
Apart from her time with the insurer, Houghton also worked with the Insurance Council of Australia, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co, and IAG, among others.
QBE Group chief executive officer Andrew Horton said Houghton had made an outstanding contribution to the insurer over the past five years.
“Sue has built a simpler, stronger business and delivered meaningful progress across a range of strategic priorities,” Horton said. “Her leadership, judgement and commitment to customers, our people and our business have left a lasting impact on QBE.”
The announcement comes amid a series of leadership changes across QBE. In recent weeks, the insurer expanded Evariste Yeung’s regional responsibilities to include householder insurance alongside motor and accident and health, and appointed Patrick Karlowski as chief operating officer, Asia, and Florence Chan as head of data, analytics and AI, Asia, as it continues to strengthen its leadership team across the region.
