The Association of British Insurers has named Allianz Insurance chief executive Jon Dye as its new chair following the sudden resignation of Amanda Blanc last week.

Senior industry executive Amanda Blanc is to stand down from her roles as CEO EMEA of Zurich Insurance Group and as chair of the ABI after nine months in both roles.

A new independent report commissioned by the Association of British Insurers has urged the dismantling the barriers to women moving up to senior roles in the insurance and long term savings sectors.

The ABI has appointed the first woman to chair the organisation in its 100 year history.