Daniel Waller

Specialist insurer PPS Mutual has announced the appointment of Daniel Waller as Head of Distribution, marking the next phase in its national growth and adviser engagement strategy. Mr Waller succeeds Brian Pillemer, who is retiring after playing a key role in establishing and growing PPS Mutual in Australia.

In his new role, Mr Waller will lead PPS Mutual’s distribution strategy, strengthening adviser relationships and expanding the reach of its professional insurance offering. He will play a central role in driving growth through collaboration, engagement, and service excellence across the adviser network.

Mr Waller brings more than 30 years of financial services experience, with deep expertise in distribution leadership, adviser engagement, and strategic business development. He has held senior roles at leading financial institutions including Resolution Life, Asteron Life, OnePath, and ING, where he led initiatives that strengthened partnerships and supported advisers in delivering exceptional client outcomes.

He joins PPS Mutual amid a period of sustained growth and recognition. The business has now surpassed 15,000 Members, reached $106 million in total in-force premiums, and achieved a $15 million Profit-Share Pool milestone for FY2024–25. For the third consecutive year, PPS Mutual was recognised as Australia’s highest-rated insurer in the Adviser Ratings Australian Financial Advice Landscape 2025 report, achieving a Net Promoter Score of 54.8 – nearly six times higher than the average of 9.5 among insurers in the report.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Waller said: “After taking the past three years to focus on my young family, I’m really looking forward to returning to the industry with PPS Mutual. I’ve always admired how it operates as a true mutual, where Members share directly in the success of the business. Joining at a time of record membership and Profit-Share Pool is a great opportunity to strengthen adviser partnerships and help deliver even more value to Members.”

Chief Executive Michael Pillemer said the appointment marks an important next step in the firm’s growth story: “Daniel’s depth of experience across distribution, partnerships, and business integration makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. As PPS Mutual continues to expand its national presence and deepen adviser engagement, Daniel’s strategic insight and leadership will be instrumental in shaping our next phase of growth. He brings a strong understanding of what drives success in this industry: trust, collaboration, and long-term value for Members.”

Reflecting on his tenure, outgoing Director of Distribution Brian Pillemer said: “Having been part of PPS Mutual from its inception, it has been incredibly rewarding to see the mutual model thrive and make a tangible difference to our Members and the advice community. I am proud to pass the baton to Daniel, who brings the right mix of experience, energy, and alignment with our values.”

PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $3 billion in profits with Members over the last decade. In Australia, PPS Mutual is owned by its Members, who share in the profits of the products they hold.

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Mr Salter will report directly to PPS Mutual Director of Distribution Brian Pillemer and will be responsible for the management of key financial adviser relationships and support of the PPS Mutual proposition within the regions. 

Mr Salter joins PPS Mutual after nine years in a business development role at Asteron Life, where he was responsible for achieving premium growth targets for Life Risk across a panel of financial advisers in Western Australia. 

“Steve is a valuable addition to the PPS Mutual team who brings extensive knowledge within the life insurance industry. This will be of great benefit in continuing to strengthen our partnerships with selected financial advisers in the region,” Mr Pillemer said.

With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, Mr Salter has a proven track record of consistently exceeding sales and growth targets in a business development role.

“I am excited to be a part of the PPS Mutual team – founded on principles of mutuality and exclusivity. PPS Mutual brings a unique offering to professionals in the Australian market and I look forward to explaining the benefits to advisers,” Mr Salter said. 

Mr Lowe, will report to Underwriting Manager, Gabi Varnier and joins PPS Mutual after five years as a senior underwriter at ANZ Wealth. David previously spent five years as a Private Wealth Protection Adviser and he will utilise this insight into adviser requirements by delivering bespoke underwriting support to PPS Mutual’s adviser partners.

“I look forward to welcoming David onto the team and expanding our reach. David’s extensive background as a senior underwriter is a testament to his strong capability of fostering both adviser and reinsurer relationships which will be pivotal to his role at PPS Mutual,” the Head of Claims and Underwriting, Marcello Bertasso said.

Earlier this year, PPS Mutual announced the launch of the PPS Mutual Super Fund, which allows the company to offer a complete life insurance solution for eligible professionals through a PPS Mutual accredited adviser.   

PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa.  PPS Mutual is based on the proven PPS business model that has been hugely successful in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $2.5 billion in profits with Members in the last 10 years.   

PPS Mutual is owned by its Australian professional members who will share in the profits of the products that they buy.  

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The role will report directly to PPS Mutual Director of Distribution Brian Pillemer and will be charged with supporting the PPS Mutual proposition amongst select financial advisers within the Victoria region.

Ms Kouzma joins PPS Mutual after five years as business development manager (insurance) at ANZ Wealth/ OnePath, where she was responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with the bank’s internal business partners and stakeholders.

“As an award-winning business development manager, Shadia’s wide understanding of the financial advice industry and proven ability to build and maintain relationships makes her a valued addition to the PPS Mutual team,” Mr Pillemer said.

“We are confident that her experience will be an asset as we continue to grow our exclusive partnerships with a select group of high-quality financial advisers.”

Having spent the past nine years in both business development and practice support roles with ANZ Wealth and OnePath, Ms Kouzma brings a wealth of understanding and knowledge of the current industry climate.

“The PPS Mutual proposition is exciting as it provides a completely unique offering to professionals in the Australian market,” Ms Kouzma said.

“I look forward to working with and educating advisers on the unique benefits that arise from a mutual model and welcome the opportunity to join the PPS Mutual team.”

PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa.  PPS Mutual is based on the proven PPS business model that has been hugely successful in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $2.2 billion in profits with Members in the last 10 years.

PPS Mutual is owned by its Australian professional members who will share in the profits of the products that they buy.

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Mr Hopwood will report to PPS Mutual Director of Distribution Brian Pillemer and will be charged with managing financial adviser relationships and supporting the PPS Mutual proposition within the region.

Mr Hopwood joins PPS Mutual after five years at ANZ Wealth as Business Development Manager for Life Risk, where he was responsible for managing relationships between key stakeholders as well as providing product and technical training to advisers.

“Richard is a welcome addition to the PPS Mutual team and we are confident that his knowledge and experience within the retail insurance industry will have a beneficial impact as we continue to grow our exclusive partnerships with high calibre financial advisers,” Mr Pillemer said.

Having spent 8 years in financial services business development roles, Mr Hopwood brings to the role an insightful understanding of issues that face advisers and advice businesses in the current environment.

“I am excited to join the growing team at PPS Mutual – with their unique profit-sharing business model, and niche, client-centric approach to insurance, I believe they are just what the Australian consumer and adviser markets need at this time,” Mr Hopwood said.

The news follows PPS Mutual’s appointment of Sabrina Sequeira-Walmsley as NSW State Manager in July, with the company also currently recruiting for a State Manager in Victoria.
PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa.  PPS Mutual is based on the proven PPS business model that has been hugely successful in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $2.2 billion in profits with Members in the last 10 years.
PPS Mutual is owned by its Australian professional members who will share in the profits of the products that they buy.

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Ms Sequeira-Walmsley will report to PPS Mutual Director of Distribution Brian Pillemer and will be charged with supporting the PPS Mutual proposition amongst select financial advisers within the region.

Ms Sequeira-Walmsley joins PPS Mutual after two years at the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA), where she was responsible for connecting AFA members with the services, education pathways and resources offered by the Association and its strategic partners.

“Sabrina’s knowledge of the advice market and close relationships with NSW advisers makes her a welcome asset to the PPS Mutual team,” Mr Pillemer said.

“Her career spans over 19 years in both financial services and business development, so we’re confident that Sabrina’s knowledge and experience will quickly have a positive impact as we grow our exclusive partnerships with high-quality financial advisers.”

Ms Sequeira-Walmsley brings with her an intimate understanding of advice businesses and the issues facing advisers today, having spent 13 years in business development roles with MLC, AXA/AMP and TAL.

“I feel privileged to be part of the PPS Mutual team and I welcome the opportunity to work with advisers and their teams in understanding and adopting this exciting mutual proposition for professionals in the Australian market,” Ms Sequeira-Walmsley said.

“The re-emergence of the mutual has come at an opportune time as we travel ‘back to the future’ to present advisers with a truly unique offering for their professional clients.”

PPS Mutual is supported by PPS South Africa, the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa.  PPS Mutual is based on the proven PPS business model that has been hugely successful in South Africa since the 1940s – sharing over $2.2 billion in profits with Members in the last 10 years.

PPS Mutual is owned by its Australian professional members who will share in the profits of the products that they buy.

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