QBE announces appointment of Group Chief Executive Officer

Authored by QBE

QBE Insurance Group Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Horton as Group Chief Executive Officer, replacing Interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Richard Pryce. Andrew will commence with QBE on 1 September 2021 and be based in Sydney.

QBE Chairman, Mike Wilkins said QBE was delighted to attract such a high calibre global financial services executive with over 30 years’ experience across insurance and banking and extensive experience across international markets.

Andrew is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Beazley plc, a UK-listed specialist insurer with operations across Europe, the US, Canada, Latin America and Asia, a role he has held since 2008. Prior to that, Andrew was the Chief Financial Officer of Beazley plc. “

Andrew is an inclusive and collaborative executive, who places a strong focus on risk, culture and relationships. He is known for driving positive change and high performance and has built a well-respected business over a number of years,” said Mike Wilkins.

“His deep understanding of the insurance landscape and the opportunities and challenges across each of our markets, see him well placed to build QBE for the future,” he said.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew said: “I am honoured to be appointed to lead QBE, a strong international insurer with an impressive global footprint and talented people. I look forward to joining the team and continuing to support QBE’s customers, people, shareholders and broader communities.”

Upon Andrew’s commencement, Interim Group Chief Executive Officer, Richard Pryce will move to an advisory capacity, providing a three-month leadership transition before retiring from QBE in December 2021.

“I would like to thank Richard Pryce who stepped in and led QBE with focus and clarity at a critical time for the Group. On behalf of the Board, we wish him every happiness in retirement, and we thank him for his commitment and service to our company over many years,” said Mike Wilkins.

The appointment is subject to regulatory approvals.

Biography

Andrew is Chief Executive Officer of Beazley plc (BEZ.L) and President of Beazley Insurance Company Inc., a role he held since 2008. Beazley is a specialist insurance business with operations in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia. Beazley manages five Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2020, underwrote gross premiums of $USD3,563.8 million. They are market leaders in many of their chosen lines, which include professional indemnity, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.

During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Andrew profitably grew the business by around 10% per annum, increased market value and successfully added international operations on what was purely London-based when he joined in 2003.

Andrew joined Beazley as finance director in June 2003. Prior to that he spent 15 years in the banking industry at ING, Nat West and Lloyds Bank in a variety of finance roles ultimately being the UK chief financial officer for ING’s wholesale banking division. He qualified as a chartered accountant with Coopers and Lybrand in 1987.

Andrew completed a Bachelor (Hons) of Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and was a Non-Executive Director of investment management firm, Man Group from 2013 to 2020.