AIG CEO is quitting to join Steadfast leader's new venture

The Australia CEO of insurance giant American International Group (AIG) is resigning to help start a new venture. Steadfast Group COO Nigel Fitzgerald said that Grant Cairns (main picture) will join him in October to launch an underwriting business.

Teaming up to start a broker focused business

In March, Fitzgerald announced his own departure from Steadfast Group as COO.

“We [Fitzgerald and Cairns] see a genuine long-term opportunity in the insurer segment to lower operating costs and significantly improve both broker and employee experiences using purpose-built, cutting-edge technology, free from legacy constraints,” said Fitzgerald in a media release shared with Insurance Business.

Cairns was appointed CEO of AIG Australia in 2023, replacing Fitzgerald who left to join Steadfast. He is also a former Chubb executive.

Fitzgerald’s own departure from Steadfast, announced at the brokerage’s convention, likely surprised many industry stakeholders. He was widely expected to take on the CEO role from Robert Kelly.

An ASX announcement confirmed the details.

“Steadfast Group’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Nigel Fitzgerald, has advised his intention to step down from his COO role on 1 July 2025,” said the announcement.

He will continue to hold board positions with Steadfast subsidiaries.

“I reconfirm my commitment to not retire before 31 December 2026,” said Kelly in the announcement. “It is my intention to continue until a successor has been appointed.”