Russell Higginbotham has taken over Gary Shaughnessy's role as the new chair of the influential Protection Committee and will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the ABI’s protection policy work as well as making recommendations on positions and the work of the ABI.

Mr Higginbotham has over 20 years' experience at Swiss Re where he was global head of life and health products. He started in the UK business unit before moving in 2002 to be the life & health country manager for Japan and subsequently Korea.

Following this he became chief executive of Swiss Re’s operations in Australia and New Zealand before transferring back to the UK to assume his current role.

Mr Higginbotham has a first class honours degree in Business from the University of Hertfordshire and an MBA from Henley Management College. He is also a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and is currently serving as Deputy President of the Insurance Institute of London.

Dr Yvonne Braun, ABI director of policy, long-term savings and protection, said: “We’re delighted that Russell has taken over as chair of the ABI’s Protection Committee to build on Gary Shaughnessy’s excellent work.

“With extensive global experience in reinsurance, Russell will bring insight on life and protection insurance from other markets to the UK industry.”

Mr Higginbotham said: “I’m excited to take on the role as Protection Committee chair, representing the work of the Committee at the ABI Board. With welfare reform at the top of the agenda, it’s essential that we make the case to policymakers for insurers to play a greater role to help people protect their financial futures.”

The ABI’s Protection Committee aims to improve the reputation of the protection sector by helping improve standards, proactively identifying and addressing potential risks and helping the sector communicate its value to the outside world.