QBE Group Executive Committee

Steven Burns, Chief Executive Officer, European Operations

Age 54 FCA

Steven Burns joined QBE through its acquisition of Limit Underwriting in 2000 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer, European Operations in 2004. Prior to his current role, Steven was Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd's Division.

Steven has extensive experience in the insurance industry. He joined Janson Green, a Lloyd's managing agent, in 1987 and became Finance Director prior to the agent's acquisition by Limit Underwriting.

Steven was a member of the Council of Lloyd's between 2003 and 2005 and a non-executive director of the Lloyd's Franchise Board.

Neil Drabsch, Group Chief Financial Officer

Age 64 FCA, FAICD, FCIS

Neil Drabsch joined QBE in 1991 and was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer in 1994. Prior to his current role, Neil was Group Company Secretary.

Neil has more than 46 years experience in insurance and reinsurance management, finance and accounting, including 24 years as a practicing chartered accountant.

Neil is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He also participates in a number of representative committees for the Insurance Council in relation to finance and industry matters and the development of Australian accounting standards for general insurance. 

David Duclos, Chief Executive Officer, North American Operations

Age 55 BSBA

David Duclos was appointed Chief Executive Officer of QBE’s North American Operations in April 2013. Before joining QBE, David held various management positions at XL, most notably the chief executive of Insurance where he was responsible for all global operations. 

David has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry. He began his career at INA/CIGNA as an underwriter, where he spent 21 years, rising to a variety of regional and national management roles. He also worked in senior level positions at Kemper Insurance.

Colin Fagen, Chief Executive Officer, Australian and New Zealand Operations

Age 46 BCOM, MBA

Colin Fagen joined QBE in 1998 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Australian Operations in 2011. This was expanded to include New Zealand Operations in 2012.

Prior to his current role, Colin was the Executive General Manager, Intermediary Distribution for Australian Operations.

Colin has 22 years experience in the general insurance industry, having held a variety of operational roles. Colin is a director of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and is also a director of the Insurance Council of Australia. 

David Fried, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific Operations

Age 52 ECON/ POL. SCIENCE

David Fried joined QBE in April 2013 when he was appointed the Chief Executive Officer, QBE Asia Pacific.

Prior to joining QBE, David was the Regional Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Asia Pacific, where he was responsible for the insurer's life and non-life business across 14 countries. He was previously at HSBC for 27 years, where he worked in numerous senior management and global strategic roles, including as the Group Head of Insurance where he managed HSBC's insurance operations across 54 countries.

Jenni Smith, Group Executive Officer, People and Communications

Age 50 MBA

Jenni Smith joined QBE in 2003 and holds the role of Group Executive Officer, People and Communications. Jenni is also the Chair of the QBE Foundation.

Jenni has substantial international experience having held executive roles in the UK advertising and television industry. Before joining QBE, Jenni held the position of General Manager, Human Resources, International at Telstra Corporation.  

Jose Sojo, Chief Executive Officer, Latin American Operations

Age 41 B BUS, M ECON/ POL. SCIENCE

Jose Sojo joined QBE in 2001 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Latin American Operations in 2011. Prior to his current role, Jose was General Manager, Latin America where he was responsible for QBE's expansion from a one country operation to the current business in seven countries in Latin America.

Jose currently chairs the Group's Underwriting and Distribution Forum, working on several global initiatives for QBE. Jose has been involved in the insurance industry for 17 years, gaining underwriting and management experience at Gen Re and HIH Argentina. It was QBE's acquisition of HIH Argentina 2001 that brought Jose to QBE.

George Thwaites, Group Chief Risk Officer

Age 47 B ENG (HONS), ACA

George Thwaites joined QBE in 1999 and was appointed Group Chief Risk Officer in 2005. Prior to his current role, George was Financial Controller for QBE's Asia Pacific Operations.

George has been involved in the insurance industry for over 17 years and previously worked in the accounting profession. George has gained extensive global experience advising financial institutions across the UK, Canada and Australia.