What was changed
Before the shift, QBE had completed a transformation that reduced volatility and restored investor confidence, but its finance role remained focused on oversight rather than active strategy.
CFO Chris Killourhy redefined finance as the architect of the system, integrating perspectives across regions and product lines, using AI to process data faster and linking risk with capital across the organization, which stabilized results and supported sustainable growth.
What it achieved
QBE regained investor trust, cut earnings volatility, and built an AI‑driven capital‑allocation framework for sustainable growth.
Why it worked
To stabilize earnings after a period of high volatility.
To support the company’s new ambition of sustainable growth.
To leverage growing data and AI capabilities for better risk and capital decisions.
What can be applied
Finance leaders must move beyond reporting to actively shape risk-return balance, using technology and portfolio thinking to enable long-term growth.
Aftermath
Finance now plays a central role in setting profitability expectations, determining acceptable volatility, allocating capital efficiently, and influencing strategic decisions across QBE’s global operations, while AI tools improve data processing and decision‑making.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE