IAG unveils Phillip Gibson to become CEO, after leak revealed departure of existing insurance boss

Phillip Gibson to become IAG NZ chief executive in March. Photo / Supplied

IAG has appointed a new chief executive a month after a media leak revealed the departure of the insurance giant’s existing boss in New Zealand, Amanda Whiting.

Phillip Gibson will become IAG New Zealand’s chief executive on March 2, while Whiting will take up a new role with the insurance group in Australia.

IAG said Gibson had more than 30 years of insurance, advisory, and technology leadership experience in Canada and the US, including senior executive roles with Accenture, Aviva Canada, Allstate and Travelers.

He was most recently senior executive adviser at Accenture, following seven years at Aviva Canada in leadership roles spanning data science, personal, and commercial insurance.

IAG is New Zealand’s largest general insurer. It trades under the AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley and Lantern brands, and provides products sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and The Co-operative Bank.

A month ago, the Australian Financial Review revealed a recruitment company was looking for a new chief executive for IAG NZ.

This prompted the company to announce the departure of Whiting, who has been with the company since 2008, including as chief executive since 2021. Her new role at the group is yet to be announced.

IAG group chief executive Nick Hawkins, “Phil will bring deep global insurance and technology leadership expertise to IAG as well as a track record in successfully executing on business strategy to deliver to customers and brokers.”

Gibson said he was thrilled to be joining IAG NZ at a pivotal time for the business as it continued to focus on growth while delivering to customers, partners and brokers.

Whiting will remain in her role until Gibson starts in March, provided he gets the appropriate regulatory approvals.

Hawkins said, “Amanda has guided our New Zealand business through significant challenges, including natural disasters, while strengthening our pricing expertise, risk management, and retail presence. She is highly regarded by her team, our customers, partners, and the wider market.

“As Amanda prepares to return to Australia into a Group role at IAG, I want to thank her for her outstanding and ongoing contribution to IAG.”

Jenée Tibshraeny is the Herald’s Wellington business editor, based in the parliamentary press gallery. She specialises in government and Reserve Bank policymaking, economics and banking.

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