Paul Smeaton will take over as CEO of Vero New Zealand following the departure of Gary Dransfield.

Mr Dransfield is returning to Australia to become interim CEO Suncorp Life, replacing Geoff Summerhayes.

Mr Smeaton, currently EGM Statutory Claims, Commercial Insurance, will begin his new role on September 14.

His 30-year career has included stints in banking, funds management, stockbroking, life, superannuation and general insurance.

He joined Suncorp in 1994 and has since held senior positions in IT, corporate projects, human resources, procurement, facilities and general insurance.

A former EGM commercial claims, he was appointed in 2010 to the strategically sensitive role of EGM Statutory Claims, giving him the distinction of having managed short and long-tail claims in Suncorp’s personal lines and commercial insurance businesses.

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