Developing a common communications approach is a critical part of the CIO function. This checklist is a place to start for board meetings, presentations and for an IT leader’s communications with their board members.

In addition to adding former Assurant CEO Greg Tachetti as tech leader, the personal lines insurer is realigning its business units .

The possible takeover, which would be the biggest in Europe this year, has spurred speculation that buyouts in the European insurance industry, which have lagged behind those in the U.S., are about to gain momentum.

Brian Griffith will join QBE North America as executive vice president of field management and distribution on August 31, and will lead the strategy for all distribution channels across QBE, including major and regional trading partner engagement in the United States.

Julie Stephenson has been appointed senior vice president and chief underwriting officer for CNA Commercial; she will report to Kevin Leidwinger, president and chief operating officer, CNA Commercial, and will be based in Chicago, CNA said.

The board of directors has appointed Harsha V. Agadi, a board member, as interim CEO and will begin a search for a permanent CEO.

Robin Heller has been selected as chief technology and operating officer of the IMA Financial Group Inc., an independent insurance broker. Heller will oversee strategic technology development, IMA said.

Curt Kibler will oversee the e-Business department, including development, systems operations, business intelligence and reporting, carrier profitability, project management and quality assurance. Dan Bryce, who has been CIO since 2000, will be retiring later this year.

George Rogers has been promoted to SVP at GEICO. Most recently he was regional VP of GEICO’s Lakeland office, a position he has held since 2002.

Novarica president and CEO Matt Josefowicz says that recent carrier developments prove that 2015 was a banner year for insurance leadership in technology.

Jose Mercado has been named chief technology officer at Metromile, a pay-per-mile car insurer, effective immediately. Mercado will continue to report directly to CEO Dan Preston, Metromile said.

The insurer is offering coursework and job placement for U.S. military veterans interested in IT careers.

Tony Kuczinski, President and CEO of Munich Re America, takes over duties in the short term.

Alan Schnitzer, 49, who leads Travelers’ business-and- international insurance segment, will become CEO Dec. 1.

Petersmark has nearly 35 years’ experience as an information technology professional and executive in the insurance industry.

Organizations are overhauling their job descriptions for CIOs and CTOs -- and drawing up new descriptions for emerging leaders like chief data officers.

Deloitte has identified insurance technology strategies that explore the role of the CIO, race Moore’s Law and more.

Deloitte has identified insurance technology strategies that explore the role of the CIO, race Moore’s Law and more.

More than two-thirds of participants reported that Agile had improved end-user satisfaction with delivered projects, relationships between business and IT and IT job satisfaction, according to a report from Novarica.