Allianz Australia says Chief GM Consumer Michael Winter will leave mid-next year after more than 20 years with the business.

The insurer confirmed his departure in a brief statement to insuranceNEWS.com.au and is planning an “extensive” internal and external search to fill the role.

“Allianz confirms that [Mr Winter] … has decided to leave Allianz Australia in mid-2023 to pursue personal interests, and take time off to spend with his family and friends,” the statement says.

“We’ll be undertaking an extensive internal and external recruitment process to find a suitable replacement.

“In the meantime, we wish to thank [him] for an outstanding 20-plus years of contribution towards our business. We’ll miss his genuine passion for people – both customers and employees – and warm approach to leadership, which spanned a number of roles during his time at Allianz.”

Mr Winter was appointed to his current position in January last year, under a new operating model that Allianz introduced at that time to focus on its Consumer, Commercial and Workers’ Compensation divisions.

He joined joined Allianz in 2001, holding a number of leadership roles across the business including GM Financial Institutions for six years and Chief GM Retail Distribution for six years.

"In January 2021 [Mr Winter] stepped into the newly created role of Chief GM Consumer, in the new Consumer Division, bringing together Allianz’s customer insights, marketing and digital capabilities with distribution channels with great success," Allianz said.

"During this period he also played a critical role in the acquisition and integration of Westpac General Insurance to Allianz."