AA Insurance has named Vanessa Leishman as its new chief risk officer, with her appointment effective from Oct. 29.
Leishman (pictured) takes over from Helen McNeil, who has been overseeing risk functions for both AA Insurance and its primary shareholder, Suncorp New Zealand.
McNeil will continue as chief risk officer for Suncorp.
Leishman, who previously held senior roles at ASB, brings over 20 years of experience in risk management, having worked across sectors including financial services, media, and telecommunications. She has also held key roles at ANZ, Fairfax Media, Spark New Zealand, and PwC.
Her experience includes leading risk strategies that balance operational, financial, and customer outcomes.
This leadership change comes as insurers worldwide face increasing risks, from economic volatility to the growing frequency of natural disasters and evolving cyber threats.
AA Insurance CEO Michelle James said Leishman’s deep expertise would be instrumental in helping the company respond to the heightened global risk landscape.
“We are delighted to welcome Vanessa to our leadership team. Her deep understanding of risk and compliance will help ensure we continue to safeguard our business, customers, and communities as we navigate a fast-evolving risk landscape,” she said.
The appointment comes as the insurance industry faces increased pressure to manage emerging risks.
With rising climate-related events, greater regulatory scrutiny, and more sophisticated cyberattacks, risk management has become a central focus for insurers seeking to ensure long-term stability.
Leishman said she is excited to join AA Insurance and emphasised the critical role insurance plays in mitigating the effects of growing risks.
“I’m a firm believer in the importance of financial prosperity to the success of all New Zealanders, and protecting what matters most with insurance is a key component of this,” she said, adding that she looks forward to contributing to AA Insurance’s commitment to maintaining strong risk management practices.
