Gibson will lead IAG’s New Zealand operations at a time when local insurers continue to manage higher natural catastrophe costs, evolving risk models and regulatory settings, and ongoing repricing across personal and commercial portfolios. His remit will cover strategy and performance for the New Zealand business and oversight of relationships with brokers, partners, and other market intermediaries.
Gibson has more than 30 years’ experience in insurance, advisory, and technology roles in Canada and the US. His career includes senior executive positions at Accenture, Aviva Canada, Allstate, and Travelers, with responsibilities spanning personal and commercial lines, data and analytics, and changes to operating models.
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Most recently, Gibson served as a senior executive advisor at Accenture. Prior to that, he spent seven years at Aviva Canada, where he held leadership roles across data science, personal insurance, and commercial business. In his role as executive vice president and managing director of personal insurance and data science, he oversaw Aviva Canada’s personal lines portfolio and analytics capabilities. He previously held senior roles at Allstate and Travelers in North America across both personal and commercial insurance.
IAG managing director and chief executive Nick Hawkins said Gibson’s background aligns with the group’s focus on insurance and technology capability in the New Zealand market. “Phil will bring deep global insurance and technology leadership expertise to IAG as well as a track record in successfully executing on business strategy to deliver to customers and brokers. We’re looking forward to Phil joining our group leadership team,” Hawkins said.
Under the announced changes, Whiting will remain in her current role until Gibson commences in March 2026 to support the transition. She is then expected to return to Australia to take up a group position within IAG, with further details to be confirmed closer to that date.
Hawkins noted that Whiting’s tenure has coincided with severe weather events and a period of rising focus on natural hazard risk, reinsurance cost pressures, and pricing adequacy in the New Zealand market. “Amanda has guided our New Zealand business through significant challenges, including natural disasters, while strengthening our pricing expertise, risk management, and retail presence. She is highly regarded by her team, our customers, partners, and the wider market. As Amanda prepares to return to Australia into a group role at IAG, I want to thank her for her outstanding and ongoing contribution to IAG,” Hawkins said.
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Gibson indicated that his priorities would include supporting growth and outcomes for IAG’s stakeholders in New Zealand. “I am thrilled to be joining IAG New Zealand at such a pivotal time for the business as it continues to focus on growth while delivering to customers, partners, and brokers. I look forward to working with the IAG team to deliver great customer outcomes.”
The leadership announcement follows IAG’s release of its full-year 2025 financial results. The group reported an insurance profit of AU$1.74 billion, an increase of more than 21% on the prior year. Net profit after tax rose to AU$1.36 billion, up by more than 50%.
IAG New Zealand contributed an insurance profit of AU$606 million, compared with AU$457 million in the previous year. The New Zealand operation reported an insurance margin of 27.4%, up from 22.5% in FY24. According to the company, the result reflects a lower cost of natural disasters over the period relative to the prior year.
