John Ashton has been appointed Head of Retail Product, managing product strategy and strengthening the team’s senior experience. John has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry having worked across licensees, insurance, underwriting and product design for a range of players in the industry. Based in MetLife’s Melbourne office, John will lead the optimisation of MetLife Protect, tapping into adviser and client feedback – a hallmark of MetLife’s approach to the Retail market.

Also joining the team is Dave Evans, as Strategic Account Manager, focused on the licensee platform, as the sales team moves into the next stage of growth. Dave has over 20 years’ financial services sales experience and is based in the Brisbane office. With MetLife Protect continuing to gain traction among licensees, the Retail market is responding positively to the innovative and fresh approach MetLife has offered up. Dave will drive this next phase of growth for the business.

Matt Lippiatt, MetLife Head of Retail Sales, commenting on the announcements, highlighted the breadth of experience being added to the team: “We are delighted to welcome John and Dave to the business. They are both seasoned Retail insurance professionals who are well known to advisers and licensees alike.  Their deep experience will help us shape our offer and drive our engagement with the market as we continue to accelerate our growth.

“At a time of consolidation, MetLife is committed to backing advisers.  These appointments are one more example of that commitment.”

MetLife Protect is a modular life insurance product, launched in August 2018, which allows advisers to tailor policies to their clients individual needs and is flexible enough to change with them over time.

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The revamp sees 14 new members across the Business Development, Risk Strategies and Strategic Accounts teams, and will significantly enhance Zurich’s strategic distribution support capabilities.

Having earlier announced the appointment of Dave Evans to the National Sales Manager role, Zurich confirmed a number of further appointments across all mainland states:

New South Wales Rhonda Morley and Mark Olivier join as Business Development Managers. Jessica Brady joins the Risk Strategy Specialist team, and Klytie Sheppard has been appointed to the Risk Strategic Accounts team, reporting to Nathan Taggart. Victoria Lauren Styles joins as a Business Development Manager.

Queensland Michelle Dolan, Peter Christopherson, Russell Townsend and Ryan Adair have joined the Business Development team, whilst Danielle Visser has been appointed to the Risk Strategy Specialist team.

South Australia Simon Betchley joins as a Business Development Manager.

Western Australia Aaron Boddy has been appointed as Regional Manager, with David Rees joining the new Risk Strategy Specialist team.

Life and Investments Head of Distribution Kristine Brooks said the new team would be instrumental in bringing Zurich’s expanded product and service proposition to market.

“The life insurance advice landscape is evolving rapidly, and advisers are looking for help in re-shaping their businesses to adapt to change and to turn it into opportunity.

“Innovative product solutions, efficiency enhancing technology and comprehensive educational programs are just some of the resources we have developed to facilitate this ‘future-proofing’.

“Adding to our award winning Business Development presence in every mainland state significantly strengthens our ability to support licensees and advisers in growing their practice and improving their own customer proposition.

“We’re delighted to be able to add so much high calibre talent to a team already acknowledged as being the best within the industry,” she said.

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Daniel Longden will join Zurich as Head of Strategy & Propositions and will join the Life & Investments’ executive team. His role will oversee the development and implementation of strategy and key initiatives, as well as proposition management and development across Zurich’s life risk and investments portfolios.

In addition, Dave Evans will join Zurich as National Sales Manager, Retail Risk, and assume responsibility for driving sales across Zurich’s life insurance product range, which will expand significantly for Zurich with the inclusion of Macquarie Life’s innovative product portfolio. Dave will report into Kristine Brooks, Head of Distribution, and add to the senior panel of sales professionals on Zurich’s award-winning BDM and distribution team.

Mr Longden and Mr Evans are due to join Zurich on 1 October, 2016, the date currently being targeted to finalise the Macquarie Life acquisition (subject to regulatory and court approvals).
Tim Bailey, CEO, Zurich Life & Investments emphasised the significance of the appointments in relation to the Macquarie Life acquisition.

“We’re delighted that Daniel and Dave will be joining Zurich. Both are respected and well-known leaders in our industry, and bring complementary skills and knowledge across strategy, propositions, business development and service. Importantly, they also bring with them the philosophy and approach that has underpinned the success of the Macquarie Life business, and made it such an attractive acquisition for us.

“Combining Macquarie Life with Zurich’s existing operations is a fantastic opportunity that will shape our business into a leading market competitor. Daniel and Dave’s talent will both balance and bolster the capacity already within Zurich, and ensure that we maintain and enhance the level of service we offer to our combined group of customers and advisers.”

Mr Longden has 20 years’ financial services experience. He held senior roles at Asteron including Chief Actuary ANZ, as well as CFO for Australia, joining Macquarie Life in 2008 where he has played a key role in driving the success of the business. He currently holds the title of Head of Commercial Management, managing Macquarie Life’s product and actuarial teams, and is a member of the Macquarie Life board.
Mr Evans, similarly, brings lengthy experience in the life insurance industry, including at Macquarie. He joined Macquarie in 2010 and has held roles including National Sales Manager, Retail Risk, Macquarie Life, and most recently, as the Queensland State Manager, Wealth Management, covering both Wrap and Risk. Prior to joining Macquarie, Dave held senior business development roles at both TAL and MLC.

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