Mark Hartigan has been appointed Chief Executive of LV=, the savings, investment and protection provider, which employs about 2,500 people in Dorset.

The appointment takes effect from January 1 and is on an initial 12 month contract, subject to regulatory approval.

Mr Hartigan, pictured left, was part of the senior leadership team at Zurich Insurance Group between 2009 and this year.

He held a variety of roles and was most recently Head of Operations for Zurich EMEA.

Prior to this he was Chief Administrative Officer in Zurich’s General Insurance Business and Chief Executive Officer of both EMEA and Asia Pacific for Zurich Global Life.

Mr Hartigan has been Chair of a number of life company boards in the UK and overseas.

Before joining Zurich, he was Deputy Chief Executive officer of Nexus Group, the largest insurance broker in the Middle East.

He started his career in the British Army and holds a Master’s degree from King’s University College of London.

Alan Cook, Chairman, LV=, pictured right, said: “Mark Hartigan is the ideal candidate to lead LV= as we begin life as a standalone life and pensions business.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge of the life insurance market and has a strong track record of delivering financial success and business transformation in challenging and fast changing market conditions.

“We are pleased that we have been able to act swiftly in making this appointment and I look forward to working together with Mark to build on the strong platform that LV= has in the savings, retirement and protection market.”

Mr Hartigan said: “LV= is a business I have long admired.

“As the company completes the sale of its general insurance business and starts 2020 as a focused life and pensions business it’s an exciting time to join.

“I look forward to working with all my new colleagues to build on LV=’s heritage and to serve our members, customers and partners.”

Mr Hartigan replaces Richard Rowney who stepped down as Chief Executive and a member of the Board at LV= earlier this month.