Steve Nevett, Aon Australia’s National General Manager, Corporate Risk Services, has been appointed CEO and country manager for Aon Australia, effective immediately.

Nevett succeeds Peter Harmer who was yesterday appointed chief executive officer and country manager of Aon UK.

Chairman and CEO of Aon Asia Pacific, Bernie Fung, said he looked forward to working with Steve Nevett in his new role.

“Steve has many years of insurance industry experience at an executive level in Australia, Europe and Asia,” Fung said. “He also has a unique ability to focus on the needs of clients and also the needs of staff.

“Steve has built a team that includes many of the industry’s leading professionals and offers some of the most innovative and valuable client offerings. Under Steve’s stewardship, Aon Australia’s Corporate Risk Services has grown in market share of top 100 companies from 11% to 35% over the last three years.”

Nevett said he was excited about the challenges his new role presents. 

“It is with much excitement that I have accepted the role of CEO Aon Australia,” he said. “Ours is an exceptional business where our client focus, discipline, commitment and ability to work together has yielded results. I am very proud of and passionate about Aon in Australia; of the service we provide our clients and of our team of talented, committed and enthusiastic people.

“I look forward to working with Aon Australia’s executive management team and each of our highly successful business areas to further build Aon’s business in Australia.”

Peter Harmer, who served as chief executive officer and country manager for Aon Australia for seven years, replaces Dennis Mahoney, who will relocate to Bermuda where he will co-lead a formalised global brokerage organisation and assume the role of chairman of Aon Global - a new business group focused on large global companies.  

Harmer said his regret at leaving Aon Australia is lessened by the knowledge that Aon will be in the capable hands of Steve Nevett.

“Many in our industry know Steve personally or by reputation, and I have no doubt he will bring the same intellect, commitment and passion to the role of CEO as he has to his current role,” he said.

Nevett will maintain his role as Aon’s National General Manager, Corporate Risk Services.