QBE chief to head Link Group

QBE Asia Pacific chief executive Vivek Bhatia will join Link Group later this year as chief executive and managing director. He replaces John McMurtrie, who is set to retire in early 2021.

"Vivek is a highly credentialed senior executive," said Link Group chair Michael Carapiet. "We identified a number of quality candidates and the Board concluded that Vivek had the right leadership experience and expertise to lead the next era of growth at Link Group."

Bhatia joined QBE Insurance as chief executive in early 2018. He was previously the chief executive at icare NSW and held senior roles at McKinsey & Company and Westfarmers Insurance. He had also held consulting roles with PWC and KPMG.

"Vivek is a proven leader with a track record of delivering improved business performance, technological transformation and enhanced client engagement," said Carapiet. "Building on the strengths of Link Group, he will bring fresh and innovative thinking to the business, helping to ensure it is best positioned to manage the challenges of an integrated global business in a post-COVID-19 world."

"I'm excited about the opportunity to lead this great company through the changes rapidly reshaping the administration services and technology sector globally," said Bhatia. "My early priorities will be to work with the leadership of this diverse business to build on the strong culture of employee and client engagement and continue to grow that group to deliver increased value for shareholders."

Bhatia's commencement date has not been determined.