THE Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has appointed Andy Cornish as its new chair, replacing Wendy Machin who has retired after six years on the board.

Mr Cornish has been an independent director of the leading independent vehicle crash safety authority since 2017.

He is one of the top insurance industry experts in Australia, with more than four decades’ experience both here and abroad and service as chairman and president of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).

This latter role came in conjunction with his appointment in 2014 as chief executive (personal insurance) of the Insurance Australia Group (IAG) – the largest general insurance company in Australia and New Zealand with brands including NRMA, CGU, SGIO, SGIC and WFI.

He also served as chief operations officer at IAG before retiring from full-time executive roles in June 2016, while from 2009 to 2014 he held the position of CEO (direct insurance) at IAG.

Earlier in his career, Mr Cornish’s senior postings included managing director of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group and NIG Insurance (UK), and chief executive of Direct Line Insurance International, and with Zurich Insurance.

Among the many companies for which he has served as a director are Green Flag Group Ltd, National Westminster Insurance Services Ltd, Royal Bank Insurance Service Ltd, Direct Line Insurance, and the ICA.

He continues to sit on a number of boards across a diverse range of industries, from insurance to property development and tourism, as well as ANCAP.

In taking over as chair of the safety watchdog, Mr Cornish said he looked forward to “guiding the delivery of existing objectives, initiatives and projects, and incorporating some new aspects to reinforce the importance of ANCAP’s independent consumer testing and advocacy voice”.

“ANCAP plays a vital role in influencing and enhancing Australia and New Zealand’s automotive landscape, and while we are currently working through uncertain times for the industry and the economy, we are seeing significant advancements in vehicle technologies where we will see ANCAP’s role further develop to ensure we provide consumers with confidence in future mobility,” he said.

Mr Cornish also paid tribute to Ms Machin who has stepped down after a period of substantial reform for the organisation.

“Together with the ANCAP board, we thank Wendy for her demonstrable commitment to improving vehicle safety,” he said.

“During Wendy’s six years on the board, the organisation has strengthened, with record high levels of market coverage, member engagement, consumer awareness and industry and community collaboration.

“Her chairmanship has seen the development and implementation of a strong strategic agenda highlighting the road safety challenges and subsequent areas of focus where vehicle safety can enhance the road safety outcome.”

Ms Machin said that after her six-year tenure on the board, most of that as chair, it was “time to transition the board to new leadership”.

“It has been a privilege to chair the board of ANCAP. It is a small organisation with a big impact. Its work in testing and advocating for safer vehicles has had a direct positive impact on the Australian and New Zealand road toll,” Ms Machin said.

“As a leader in the insurance and business sector, Andy brings a new perspective and a wealth of experience in risk and safety – essential considerations in the work that ANCAP does.

“I wish him and the ANCAP board well in their important work in the coming years and thank them for their support and commitment.”

ANCAP is still to announce a replacement for chief executive James Goodwin, who was recently appointed CEO of the Australian Airports Association.

By Terry Martin