Sean Kevelighan, the Global Head of Public Affairs for Zurich Insurance Group, will replace Robert Hartwig as President and CEO of the Insurance Information Institute (III) from August 8.

Mr Hartwig is leaving to become a faculty member at the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

Mr Kevelighan is responsible for setting Zurich’s public policy and corporate responsibility agendas. Previous roles include head of North American group media relations for Zurich, and press secretary for the White House Office of Management and Budget during the George W Bush administration.

III Chairman Bruce Kelley says the 43-year-old has “impressive accomplishments” in public affairs and communications, and “a deep technical knowledge of insurance issues”.

Mr Kevelighan says the III “has a long, credible and successful history of helping people understand the essence of insurance, and why it’s so critical to our everyday lives. I am eager and excited to build upon the extraordinary work of Bob and the III team, and look forward to leading the organisation and our members to further success.”