New Head of Underwriting

ClearView has appointed a new Head of Underwriting, Peter Tilocca, who joins ClearView on 30 June 2025.

Peter is an accomplished and well-respected leader within the underwriting community in Australia with a career spanning over 20 years in life insurance. He is widely accepted as one of the thought leaders in advancing underwriting in Australia, having led underwriting, operations and claims teams at Zurich, Noble Oak, One Path Life and RGA Australia.

Peter’s experience, technical knowledge, and commitment to building strong internal and external partnerships will enable ClearView to accelerate growth through new business and refine underwriting capability.

Revised mandatory medical requirements

In parallel with the trauma definition updates, ClearView has introduced a revised framework for mandatory medical underwriting requirements across its product range. These changes, effective May 2025, aim to provide greater clarity and consistency for advisers and clients during the application process.

Highlights include:

• Improved accessibility: Clients applying for cover under certain thresholds—up to $2 million for Life and TPD in some age groups— will benefit from reduced or no mandatory medical requirements, streamlining the application process.
• Structured tiering system: The updated requirement tables for Life, TPD, Trauma, Income Protection and Business Expenses are now grouped into clear tiers, based on age and benefit amount. This approach makes it easier for advisers to identify the necessary medical evidence and manage client expectations.
• Trauma cover – alignment with national health programs: For higher levels of trauma cover, ClearView now incorporates alignment with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for applicants aged 50 and over, further reinforcing the link between underwriting and broader health outcomes.

Updated trauma definitions

Effective 5 June 2025, key changes have been introduced to the trauma benefits available under ClearView’s ClearChoice and LifeSolutions products. These enhancements aim to improve the clarity and fairness of trauma definitions while ensuring they remain aligned with contemporary medical practice.

The key updates include:

• Cancer excluding specified early-stage cancers: The exclusion for colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas has been removed from the cancer definition under ClearChoice policies.
• Coronary artery angioplasty, triple vessel – surgical procedure: The requirement for procedures to be performed on three specific named arteries has been broadened to include any three or more coronary arteries – improving applicability for a wider range of clinically equivalent procedures.
• Major head trauma – significant permanent impairment: A new assessment pathway has been introduced, allowing claims to be assessed using a Whole Person Impairment (WPI) measure of at least 25% as an alternative to the ‘Activities of Daily Living’ criteria.

These enhancements apply to all existing ClearChoice and LifeSolutions policies, as well as to new policies issued before the next Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) update. They will apply to claims where the condition or symptoms first present on or after 5 June 2025. Importantly, these updates do not result in any change to premium levels.

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Michael joined ClearView in June 2023 as Strategic Transformation Program Director, leading critical technology projects including the delivery of a single Policy Administration System. He replaces Hicham Mourad as Chief Technology Officer, who resigned to pursue external interests and left on October 18, 2024.

Ash joined ClearView in January 2014 as Appointed Actuary and has been ClearView’s Appointed Actuary for more than 10 years. He has been formally appointed to the Executive Leadership Team in recognition of his commitment and valued business outcomes achieved during this time.

Judilyn joined ClearView in November 2019 as ClearView’s General Counsel. With the exit of the Wealth business in its final stages and a focus on the core Life Insurance business, ClearView has consolidated the Legal, Company Secretarial, and Risk and Compliance functions. Judilyn has been promoted to lead this expanded division as General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer.

ClearView Managing Director, Nadine Gooderick, said: “As a life-only company, our business strategy and our priorities are clear, and our technology and business transformation, and regulatory matters, remain top priorities for us. In executing on our strategy and simplifying our business, it makes sense to consolidate our Legal and Risk teams.

“I am also proud that we continue to advance top talent from within. These appointments recognise the hard work and dedication of these colleagues and are a testament to our commitment to fostering the growth and development of our employees.”

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Kathryn Williamson

Listed life insurance company, ClearView, has made enhancements to its ClearView ClearChoice product series to deliver even greater value, flexibility and choice to customers, and modernise product design, particularly for trauma and total permanent disability (TPD) insurance.

Launched in 2021, ClearView ClearChoice provides a range of personal and business insurance covers including income protection, TPD and trauma.

The group’s latest product upgrade includes the addition of two new trauma options: Trauma Extras and Trauma Severe Events, plus the ability for customers to hold trauma cover for longer by extending the expiry age to 70, up from age 65.

Income protection waiting period definitions have also been improved for all occupations.

With the new trauma options, Trauma Extras covers customers for less severe events such as fractures and total joint replacements including shoulder, hip, knee and ankle.

Trauma Severe Events provides coverage for catastrophic health events, allowing for a higher benefit payment to ensure additional funds are available to support customers impacted by these types of life-altering events.

According to Nick Kulikov, ClearView Group Executive Product and Pricing, the addition of Trauma Extras and Trauma Severe Events gives customers and advisers greater flexibility to tailor cover to suit their needs, circumstances and budget.

“We recognise that there are cost of living pressures on some households so affordability is a key consideration when it comes to insurance. We want to help customers gain and maintain invaluable cover so they can protect themselves and their families,” Kulikov said.

“With our new options, people can opt for less severe events or increase the amount payable under trauma for catastrophic events. These options can also potentially be used in place of TPD, for example, in situations where certainty through objective definitions is desirable or where any or own occupation definitions are unavailable. This represents a much-needed first step towards reimagining TPD cover for today’s market.”

Kathryn Williamson, ClearView Head of Distribution and Marketing, said the latest enhancements to ClearView ClearChoice had been driven by customer and adviser feedback, demonstrating the group’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“We are listening to our customers and advisers, and actively seeking their input,” she said.

“Life insurers need to start thinking more creatively to meet the evolving needs of customers. While trauma has been front and centre in this round of enhancements, we’re also looking to overcome some of the current issues with TPD such as uncertainty due to the subjectivity of assessing total and permanent disability, and the length of time it takes to assess claims.”

Full details of these enhancements can be found in the ClearView ClearChoice PDS effective from 13 May. ClearView encourages advisers to speak to their BDM for a detailed summary of the changes.

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Joanne Faglioni

Listed life insurance company, ClearView Wealth Limited, has partnered with cancer support and education provider, Osara Health, to give claimants access to a digital health care program that is proven to help improve health and wellbeing.

Utilising Osara Health’s Cancer Coach program, ClearView customers who have been diagnosed with cancer will gain access to professional health coaches, educational resources and practical strategies to support them on their cancer journey.

The Cancer Coach program, which has been developed by clinicians and validated by experts, uses expertise, empathy and technology to provide holistic, confidential and flexible care, all from the comfort of a person’s home.

According to Joanne Faglioni, ClearView Group Executive Operations, the Cancer Coach program forms part of a broad suite of allied health services available to ClearView customers including prehabilitation, exercise physiology, and occupational rehabilitation support. The group also offers executive and business coaching for self-employed people.

“We exist to pay claims but we don’t want to stop there. We want to support our customers at every stage of their health journey from diagnosis to treatment and recovery,” Faglioni said.

“We are investing in our customer proposition by offering occupational rehabilitation services to assist people to return to work, exercise programs to improve their health & rebuild function, as well as services to help support and improve customer wellbeing. Some of these services, including Cancer Coach, are available to trauma customers, who have received a lump sum benefit, demonstrating ClearView’s commitment to supporting customers to achieve a better quality of life through increased physical and mental health.”

Dr Raghav Murali-Ganesh, CEO and Co-founder of Osara Health, and Radiation Oncologist, said the Cancer Coach program had been successful at improving quality of life for many patients, citing internal research that half of participants reported an improvement in their physical health with nearly a third reported feeling less pain^[1].

Over 73% of participants said they were more likely to return to work and their previous daily activities^[2].

“Our program has been developed by oncologists and we are experts at eliciting positive behaviour change in people impacted by cancer,” Murali-Ganesh said.

“We are focused on empowering patients to achieve better health outcomes and we are the only clinicallyvalidated return-to-work solution for people with a cancer diagnosis. Partnering with ClearView allows members to gain access to these programs in the event of a severe health crisis like cancer and demonstrates their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their members. ”

Osara’s Cancer Coach program includes access to the group’s award-winning app, which makes it easy for users to track symptoms and proactively manage their mental health, nutrition and exercise.

A key aim of the program is to convert people from being reactive recipients of care to proactive participants in their care.

———

Notes:
[1] Seebacher N et al, Usability and Quality of Life Assessment of a Digital-Based Coaching Intervention for Cancer Survivors, Victoria Cancer Survivorship Conference Accepted Abstract, March 2022.
[2] Lo J et al, A Digital Coaching Intervention for Cancer Survivors with Job Loss: Retrospective Study, JMIR Cancer 2021.

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Leong has over 20 years’ financial services experience in both Australia and the UK, and was most recently Executive Business Manager to the Group Executive, Retail Banking and CEO ME Bank at BOQ.

Prior to that, she held a number of senior positions at Westpac Group including Strategy and Business Manager to the General Manager, Platforms and Investments at Westpac subsidiary, BT Financial Group.

In her role at ClearView, Leong will work with the executive leadership team to oversee the execution of the group’s refreshed strategy and business plan. She will provide business management and advisory support to the leadership team.

“Sharon is a respected financial services leader with extensive experience in strategy and business planning,” Ms Gooderick said.

“She has excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder management skills, and will help drive strategic outcomes as we work towards achieving our FY26 goals.”

Ms Leong said: “ClearView is a dynamic company that has gone through a period of simplification and transformation, and continues to grow and expand. I am excited to be joining the business at this pivotal stage of its journey to support Nadine and the leadership team”.

Leong holds two bachelor degrees: Commerce and Law (Hons), as well as CPA qualification.

As at 30 June 2023, ClearView had $305.9 million in inforce life insurance premiums. In FY23, the group reported a 41% increase in underlying net profit after tax of $36.5 million and a 25% increase in new business to $25.2 million.

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In her new role, Faglioni, who originally joined ClearView from Zurich Australia in December 2021 as Chief Claims Officer, will be responsible for overseeing and driving improvements across administration and operational functions including underwriting, claims and rehabilitation.

Kulikov, who joined ClearView from Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) in March 2021 as Head of Life Insurance Product and Pricing, will see his role expanded to include data and analytics, in addition to product and pricing. He will also work closely with ClearView’s Appointed Actuary Ash Bhalerao to manage the group’s reinsurance responsibilities.

Both Faglioni and Kulikov will report to Nadine Gooderick, ClearView Managing Director.

“Joanne is the ideal person to help ensure we achieve our strategic objectives around optimising business processes and maximising operational efficiencies,” Gooderick said.

“Over the last 18 months, Joanne has built and managed a high performing team, refreshed our customer claims journey and delivered improved end-to-end claims management outcomes. She is a highly respected professional who brings a depth of experience to the ELT.

On Kulikov’s appointment, Gooderick said: “Nick spearheaded the launch of our flagship product series, ClearView ClearChoice, in September 2021 and recently oversaw a range of product enhancements, which have been well received by financial advisers”.

“Nick’s knowledge and experience spans the entire life insurance value chain and I look forward to working more closely with him.”

In other changes, Hicham Mourad, who has served on ClearView’s executive leadership team since 2020, has been appointed Chief Technology Officer in recognition of his increased responsibilities.

Mourad joined ClearView from BT Financial Group, originally as General Manager, Information Technology before being seconded to head the group’s Policy Administration System (PAS) Transformation Project last year.

With that project largely complete, Mourad’s role has been broadened to include accountability for the delivery of the group’s technology roadmap and other key strategic initiatives.

“With life insurance market conditions improving and regulatory tailwinds on the horizon, there is a unique opportunity for ClearView to accelerate our transformation and growth,” Gooderick said.

“We have a strong leadership team with the right mix of skills, expertise and experience to take the business into the future.”

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Simon Swanson

Listed financial services company ClearView Wealth Limited has unveiled a range of enhancements to its flagship ClearView ClearChoice life insurance product range^{[1] .}

Key enhancements include simplified product names across the income protection (IP) range to increase clarity for customers and advisers. Clients on the top level of IP cover will now be paid 70% of pre-disability income until their cover expires (previously capped at 60% from age 60, now 70% can continue through to age 65).

In addition, the popular Income Support Booster Option, which increases a client’s benefit amount by an additional 20% for the first six months of a claim, will also be available on policies with a 90-day waiting period, in addition to the existing 30 and 60 day waiting periods.

Total permanent disablement cover will also be extended to age 70, with a change in definition at age 65.

The enhancements to ClearView ClearChoice coincide with strong new business sales across ClearView’s life insurance business.

In the six months to 31 December, 2022, ClearView reported life insurance new business of $11.3 million, up 9% on the previous corresponding period2. This reflected strong support for ClearView ClearChoice.

Simon Swanson, ClearView Managing Director, said the enhancements demonstrated ClearView’s commitment to being simple, relevant and responsive to adviser and customer needs in its product design.

“We have taken our time to listen to adviser feedback and watch how the market has reacted over the past 12 months to the huge changes in product design across the income protection space,” Mr Swanson said.

“The updates to ClearView ClearChoice ensure our life insurance products remain adaptive, flexible and built on what advisers have told us their clients really need.

“With the life insurance industry looking ahead to an exciting new future of simplified regulation, positive structural reform and stable commission rates, ClearView is well positioned to partner with advisers as they build efficient and nimble businesses.”

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Warren Page

Experienced senior underwriters, Sheldon Hatzantonis and Daniel Yianakis, have joined listed financial services company, ClearView Wealth Limited, as Principal Underwriters.

Based in Sydney, Hatzantonis was previously NSW State Underwriting Manager at BT Financial Group and Victorian State Underwriting Manager at Asteron Life.

Based in Melbourne, Yianakis joins ClearView from BT Financial Group, where he held a variety of underwriting roles including Regional Underwriting Manager. Prior to BT, Yianakis also worked as an underwriter at Asteron Life and OnePath.

Both underwriters report to ClearView Chief Underwriter Warren Page.

ClearView has also bolstered its tele-underwriting team with the appointment of Karen James.

James, previously an administration officer at Mater Health Services, is based in Brisbane and reports to ClearView Technical Underwriting Manager Nikki Ashley.

According to Page, ClearView continues to build its underwriting team and capability, as demand for the group’s flagship life insurance product series, ClearView ClearChoice grows.

“Over the years, ClearView’s distribution and underwriting teams have developed a reputation for being knowledgeable, accessible and helpful, which is a key strength of our offer,” he said.

“Our senior and experienced staff work closely with advisers, and we will continue building our capability to support our business partners.”

Page added that demand for speedy tele-underwriting had also increased, with tele-underwriting currently representing around 30% of all underwriting applications.

“Advisers like the ability to outsource the completion of personal statements to us,” he said.

“We can gather medical information and seek personal disclosures, freeing them to spend more time in front of clients.”

Kathryn Williamson, ClearView Head of Distribution Strategy said the group continued to build its capability in underwriting and distribution to meet strong adviser support for ClearView ClearChoice.

“ClearView has invested significantly in technology, processes and people over the past few years, as part of our transformation journey. Our new policy administration system and new underwriting rules engine will underpin future growth,” she said.

“At the same time, we understand the importance of strong dedicated relationships for advice practices to ensure optimal outcomes for their clients.”

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Former Senior Product Manager, Advised Life Insurance at BT Financial Group, Alex Koodrin, has been appointed National Technical Manager.

Jeremy Anthony and Mathew Amanovich have also joined ClearView as Business Development Managers from MLC Life Insurance and BT Financial Group respectively.

Internally, Leah Henshaw and Heather Sherwell have been promoted to Digital Business Development Managers (formerly Business Development Associates).

Henshaw, a former financial adviser, has held a variety of business development roles since joining ClearView in 2016.

Sherwell has been at ClearView since 2017.

This follows the appointments earlier this year of Adam Faulkner, formerly Business Development Manager at Zurich and Ralf Hanna, a former financial adviser at NAB, as Business Development Managers; and the internal promotion of Steven Jurcec to Business Development Manager.

According to ClearView Head of Distribution Strategy Kathryn Williamson, changing economic conditions, alongside a wave of new life insurance and income protection products recently hitting the market, has meant advisers need extra support to understand changes and how they may impact their clients.

In October 2021, ClearView launched its new life insurance product series, ClearView ClearChoice. Later this year, a range of enhancements to ClearView ClearChoice will be released.

“We continue to invest in our people capability to better support our business partners,” Ms Williamson said.

“Our distribution team is knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. We are focused on supporting advisers to deliver quality service and advice while driving business productivity, efficiency and growth.”

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Alicia Edwards

Listed financial services company, ClearView Wealth Limited has appointed Alicia Edwards to the newly-created position of Rehabilitation Manager.

In her role, Ms Edwards will be responsible for designing the group’s rehabilitation proposition to ensure best practice customer outcomes.

Her responsibilities will include technical advice, support and ongoing mentoring to claim assessors on return to work strategies and employability, and identification and management of occupational rehabilitation cases.

She will report to ClearView Chief Claims Officer Joanne Faglioni. “We’re always looking for ways to add value for our customers and advisers. A key area of focus has been on increasing our claims capability and enhancing our claims proposition,” Ms Faglioni said.

“Alicia will be responsible for building a strong, holistic vocational rehab service, which spans exercise, career counselling and business coaching including executive business coaching. Our goal is to provide a highly valued service that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of our customers.”

Before joining ClearView, Ms Edwards was a Senior Rehabilitation Consultant at OnePath/Zurich. Prior to that, she held a number of roles at Konekt, Australia’s largest private sector provider of organisational health and risk management solutions.

Ms Edwards holds a Bachelor of Science (Health and Exercise) and a Masters in Science Medicine (Pain Management). She is also an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and a Member of Exercise and Sport Science Australia.

“There is a growing recognition of the positive impact that occupational rehabilitation can have on assisting customers to return to wellness and return to work, if they are able and ready to do so,” Ms Edwards said.

“ClearView is a dynamic organisation and I’m excited about the possibility of doing something a little bit different here to help customers manage a range of medical conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological and psychological, and get on with their lives.”

As part of the group’s ClearView ClearChoice product series, customers may be able to access a range of rehabilitation and return to work support including funding to cover the cost of retraining and reskilling, and business coaching.

ClearView is a signatory to the “Realising the Health Benefits of Good Work Consensus Statement”, an initiative of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine; a faculty of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

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