QBE Insurance Group Limited announced the appointment of Penny James as an Independent Non-Executive Director to the QBE Group Board. Penny brings a wealth of executive expertise in the financial services industry with over 30 years of experience including roles as Chief Financial Officer and then Chief Executive Officer at Direct Line, Group Chief Risk Officer at Prudential, Group Chief Financial Officer at Omega Insurance and Chief Financial Officer for Zurich?s UK General Insurance. Penny has held leadership roles in relation to businesses in General Insurance, Life Assurance, Wealth Management and Asset Management at scale and across US, Asia and Europe.

She has deep experience in technology transformation, increasing business agility, capital structuring, financial leadership and risk management. Penny is currently serving as a Co-Chair of the FTSE Women Leaders Review and Senior Independent Director for Hargreaves Lansdown. She has recently been Chair for the FCA Practitioner Panel and Board member for the Association of British Insurers.

Penny?s appointment will be effective 1 January 2024.