ACC Chief Executive Scott Pickering resigns

ACC Board Chair Dame Paula Rebstock today announced that Scott Pickering has resigned as ACC Chief Executive after eight years in the role. Scott's last day will be 30 June 2021.

"Scott has been an exceptional chief executive who has overseen ACC's transformation to better meet the needs and expectations of New Zealanders," Dame Paula says.

"His focus, and that of the Board, has been on ensuring ACC improves the access, outcomes and experience Kiwis have with their accident compensation scheme. Scott has steadfastly worked hard pushing a strong customer culture within ACC, removing outdated processes and paperwork, and replacing them with modern systems and platforms that link to an increasingly digital world.

"Under Scott's tenure, ACC's public trust and confidence has hit record levels moving from 48% in May 2013 to 72% in September 2020, we are partnering with more organisations and communities to prevent injuries, financial performance remains strong in a volatile environment, the investment fund has grown to $50 billion, and privacy breaches have dropped dramatically.

"ACC and New Zealand have been fortunate to have had in Scott a passionate, caring, and energetic chief executive committed to ACC doing its best for our customers and their wellbeing. We thank him for his outstanding leadership and accomplishments and wish him all the best for the future."

Scott says he is incredibly proud of what ACC has achieved in his time – particularly ensuring the organisation's workforce, processes, information, and technology are aligned to the needs of New Zealanders.

"It's been without doubt the best job I've ever had," Scott says. "Leading an organisation of 3,500 dedicated people providing a service every day to a whole country has been an absolute privilege. They are the main reason ACC is part of New Zealand's DNA. Leaving was a tough decision to make."

Scott says other highlights include:

• revamping ACC's case management approach to focus on the needs of individuals
• implementing a health services strategy to rehabilitate clients faster
• providing greater support to victims of sexual abuse
• increasing the spending, reach and effectiveness of injury prevention programmes
• forging stronger links with Māori under Whāia Te Tika, ACC’s Māori Strategy.

This includes ACC's commitment to deliver kaupapa Māori pathways for clients with serious injuries, and partnering with Waikato-Tainui and Ngāi Tahu to build two environmentally friendly buildings in Hamilton and Dunedin that will be home to more than 30% of ACC's workforce.

"Having overseen this work and delivered the bulk of the transformation programme, I feel now is the right time for me to put my energy into a new role."

The 54-year-old says it is likely he will move back into the private sector in New Zealand or overseas, where he lived and worked in the insurance industry for 25 years before returning home in 2013.

Dame Paula says the Board has begun a global search for a new chief executive using Maritana Partners.