icare has appointed Richard Harding as its new chief executive officer and managing director, effective January 18, 2021.
Harding has over 35 years of financial services experience. He spent the last 12 years as a CEO, most recently at Tower Insurance New Zealand and Territory Insurance Office (TIO) before that. His career spans both short and long-tail insurance and statutory-regulated schemes.
While at Tower, he transformed the listed general insurer into a fast-growing, digital leader. At TIO - Australia's last government-owned commercial insurer and the Nominal CTP Insurer for the Northern Territory – he developed successful strategies to deliver sustainability.
Under his new role at icare, Harding will help the organisation rebuild trust and drive improvements to support customers, including injured workers.
Harding commented: “There's no doubt it's been a turbulent time for icare, and I look forward to working with the board and the executive to ensure we restore public confidence and deliver on key remediation activities. I'm heartened by the positive approach of the people of icare, who every day show their passion and dedication to their customers.”
Harding's appointment comes after an extensive search and recruitment process last year that was managed by executive search firm Boyden.
Commenting on the appointment, icare chair John Robertson said: “Richard has an impeccable record in leading complex businesses in both the public and private sector, and the board and I are very confident he brings the necessary mix of skills, experience, and dedication to address icare's challenges.
“I'd also like to thank interim CEO Don Ferguson for his steady and calm leadership in what has been a very challenging time for icare.”
