Former Cabinet minister Hon. Kris Faafoi is taking over from outgoing Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) chief executive Tim Grafton in April.
In a release this morning, ICNZ president and IAG New Zealand CEO Amanda Whiting said: “I’m delighted we are able to appoint someone of Kris’ calibre who has a track record of demonstrated leadership together with extensive experience and understanding of the machinery of government and the financial sector.
“Kris Faafoi is well known to many New Zealanders – he has a strong background in media, has served as a minister, having responsibility for many portfolios over his political career, and most recently has been running his own consulting business.”
Grafton, who has served as ICNZ chief since 2012, is stepping down on April 7 at the end of the representative body’s annual general meeting in Wellington. Before then, there will be a handover period of four weeks from early March.
Commenting on his appointment, Faafoi said: “It’s been a challenging 12 months for insurers. I’m looking forward to leading the industry through the next period, focussing on influencing for a sustainable industry, and, more importantly, ensuring that New Zealanders can continue to protect the things they love when disaster strikes.”
Meanwhile Whiting added that Grafton’s significant contribution to the insurance industry cannot be underestimated.
“I have no doubt that when the time comes to farewell him, there will be many across the industry, and broader stakeholders, that will want to recognise this and wish him well,” she said.
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