ACC names Scott Pickering as new boss

Former chief executive Ralph Stewart and other ACC executives left the corporation after a privacy breach last year. Photo / Supplied

ACC's board has appointed a New Zealand executive from one of the world's largest insurance brokers as the corporation's new chief executive.

Scott Pickering's appointment comes after former chief executive Ralph Stewart and other ACC executives left following the Bronwyn Pullar privacy breach last year.

The scandal, in which the details of thousands of clients were sent to Pullar, also claimed the scalps of then ACC Minister Nick Smith, board chairman John Judge and directors John McCliskie and Rob Campbell.

Pickering, a New Zealander based in Johannesburg, is currently Willis International's regional chief executive for central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

ACC chairwoman Paula Rebstock said the board was delighted to recruit a chief executive of his calibre and experience.

"After spending most of the past 22 years abroad, Scott is delighted to be returning to this demanding and challenging role in Wellington.

"He shares the board's vision of restoring public trust and confidence in ACC through transforming the business model to improve the quality of service delivery to clients."

Pickering will take over on May 1 from acting chief executive David May, who has been in the role since Stewart's departure in December.

A former student at Aotea College in Porirua, Pickering has been with Willis International - a leading global insurance broker with about 17,000 employees and offices in nearly 120 countries - since 2010.

He was previously the Asia and Middle East regional chief executive of RSA Insurance Group, and an executive with ACE Insurance - formerly Cigna - including as managing director of ACE Insurance Ltd NZ.

Pickering is married with four children.

His predecessor at ACC received a performance bonus of $100,493 for the 12-month period ending December 31 when he left the corporation.