The Association of British Insurers has appointed Otto Thoresen as its new director general. Mr Thoresen will take up the role on April 4 and will be based in London. Otto Thoresen is currently Chief Executive of Aegon UK and a member of the Board of Management of AEGON N.V.  He was appointed by an appointments panel of the ABI Board headed by ABI Chairman, Tim Breedon following an external recruitment process lead by Odgers Berndtson.

ABI Chairman, Tim Breedon said: “Otto is a leading industry executive who will bring strong leadership and proven industry expertise to the ABI’s work. He will have huge credibility representing the industry with the first hand-knowledge that comes from running a business in the current challenging regulatory and business climate.”

“Otto combines significant industry experience with a passion for improving the industry’s service to its customers and its reputation. His proven commitment to improving access to financial services and driving a focus on the customers’ needs will be a huge asset to the ABI as it continues to build greater trust in insurance products and tackle areas of customer detriment.”

“Otto was the unanimous choice of the ABI Board Appointments Panel, having taken part in a competitive external search process, which resulted in a shortlist of five candidates. I am sure ABI members will be delighted that someone of his calibre will be leading the organisation forward.”

“I am grateful to Maggie Craig for her hard work as Acting Director General over the last eight months. She has devoted characteristic energy and skill to keeping the ABI moving forward and will hand the ABI over to Otto in strong shape for the challenges ahead.”

Otto Thoresen said: "I am incredibly excited about taking on this challenge and representing all parts of the insurance industry at this critical time. This is an industry I care passionately about and I will relish the opportunity to engage in crucially important debates with governments, regulators, customers and stakeholders. The insurance industry is facing very significant changes over the next few years and it will be vital that we punch our weight and contribute all we can to the challenges facing us.

“Insurance has a key role to play in building and sustaining a healthy society. It is a vital product for most people but as an industry we still have much to do if we are to be completely customer-focused. The challenges are not necessarily the same for the general and life sectors but we know as insurers that we have to build on the progress of the last few years and always be on the side of our customers.

“The ABI is a strong trade body which I know well from my six years on its Board, most recently as a deputy chairman and Audit Committee Chairman. Its principal strength as an organisation is its close relationship with its members and I intend to develop this still further as Director General, especially with those sectors of the membership I have been less involved with during my career in insurance.”