QBE Insurance has appointed John Neal as the company's new chief executive of global underwriting operations.

Mr Neal, currently the chief underwriting officer of QBE's European operations, will begin the new Sydney-based role from January 1, 2011.

"In his six years since joining QBE, he has proven he is a highly competent insurance professional with a can do approach to the profitable development of our European operations business," QBE chief executive Frank O'Halloran said in a statement.

The company's divisional chief executives, group actuarial officer, group chief risk officer, global head of distribution and group human resources will report to Mr Neal.