These awards, which were announced at ANZIIF’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the insurance industry, and to the mission of ANZIIF.

Honorary Life Membership

Honorary Life Membership is awarded in recognition of an extraordinary level of service to ANZIIF over an extended period of time on a national or international level.

Megan Beer: Group Chief Operating Officer at Resolution Life, ANZIIF (Fellow) CIP, ANZIIF President 2019 – 2021, ANZIIF Director 2015 – 2022.

ANZIIF Service Awards

Service Awards recognise ANZIIF members who have made a significant contribution to the organisation.

Jim Karafilis: ANZIIF (Fellow) CIP, Past Member of ANZIIF’s General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board

Michael Pennell PSM: Chief Underwriting Officer at Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, ANZIIF (Fellow) CIP, Reinsurance Rendezvous Organising Committee at ANZIIF, Past Chair of ANZIIF’s Reinsurance Faculty Advisory Board

E.E Vines Memorial Prize

Established in 1956 to commemorate the first secretary of the Australia Insurance Institute, Mr Ernest Edward Vines. It is awarded annually for the most meritorious article written by an ANZIIF member.

Siew Wei Chai: Corporate Authorised Representative at Aon, ANZIIF (Senior Assoc) CIP, Author of the article “Insurance premiums and affordability: How can we curb the cycle of loss and costs?” published in the ANZIIF Journal (vol. 46, no. 2).

The recipients of these awards exemplify dedication, passion and professionalism within the insurance industry, and we, at ANZIIF, would like to congratulate them and wish them success with their future endeavours.

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Tim Plant

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that Tim Plant, CEO General Insurance (Australia & New Zealand), Zurich Australia will take over the position of ANZIIF President effective immediately. Ben Bessell, Chief Broking Officer, Austbrokers will take the role as Deputy President.

Tim has held the position of Deputy President since 2019 and accepted the Presidency when Megan Beer stepped down at the end of her two-year term.

“I am proud and honoured to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that I have been a part of for many years,” said Tim Plant CEO General Insurance, Zurich Australia. “ANZIIF has played a major role in uplifting the professional standards of the insurance industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. I am excited to lead as President and help ANZIIF achieve its vision and strategic goals.”

ANZIIF Chief Executive Officer Prue Willsford paid tribute to Megan Beer. “Megan has been influential in leading the launch of the first ever Professional Standards Framework for the life sector. She is the first female president of ANZIIF and has been a strong advocate for women in leadership roles. Thank you for helping ANZIIF achieve its goals during your two-year term as President.”

ANZIIF Past President Allan Reynolds retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

“We have been very fortunate to have had Allan on the ANZIIF Board since 2015. ANZIIF and the entire team have greatly benefited from Allan’s advice, knowledge, and 40 years of industry experience.

Willsford acknowledged and thanked Tony Lee and Daniel Fogarty for their dedicated service to ANZIIF – both members retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

2021 ANZIIF Board:

• Tim Plant (President), CEO General Insurance AUS/NZ, Zurich Financial Services Australasia Limited
• Ben Bessell (Deputy President), Chief Broking Officer, Austbrokers
• Megan Beer (Immediate Past President), Group Executive, Insurance, CEO Australasia, Resolution Life
• Diego Ascani, Chief Executive Officer, Australia, Sedgwick
• Tim Considine, Managing Director, Austbrokers Countrywide
• Catherine Dixon, Executive General Manager, People Experience, Suncorp Group New Zealand
• Simone Dossetor, Chief Operating Officer, Munich Re Australasia,
• Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Chief Strategy Officer, QBE Insurance Australia / New Zealand
• John Lyon, Chief Executive Officer, Ando Inurance
• Damien Mu, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Australia
• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and Immediate Past President Megan Beer recognised several award winners for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

ANZIIF (Senior Associate) David McKinnis was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his long-term contribution, service, and proactive influence on the insurance industry. The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Noel Donovan for his many years of work at ANZIIF to help lift professional standards through education and training. The E.E Vines Prize for 2020 was awarded to ANZIIF (Fellow) Honorary Life John Dawson for his Journal article What is the difference between conduct risk, risk culture and organisational culture?.

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Jane Hume

As part of a shared commitment to unifying professional standards and further enhancing industry trust and confidence within the community, Australia’s life insurance industry has announced the development of an industry-wide Professional Standards Framework.

Jointly developed and committed to by Australia’s leading life insurers, the framework formalises standards for professional excellence by implementing a consistent ‘Foundation’ Requirement for all Life Insurance claims and underwriting professionals, consisting of four Certificate IV competencies including ethics; sustainability; products and services; and law and regulation.

This important milestone was reached in a collaboration between insurers AIA Australia, AMP Life (Part of the Resolution Life Group), BT Life Insurance, ClearView, MLC Life Insurance, TAL and Zurich, who collectively comprise 95% of the gross written premium in the retail life industry, with support from ANZIIF.

Those life insurers have made a further shared commitment to achieving a Certificate IV level for all Claims professionals by December 2023, and all Underwriting professionals by December 2024.

Senator Jane Hume, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, today welcomed the industry’s commitment to the implementation of professional standards at the FSC Life Summit.

“I applaud the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and industry for their hard work putting together these standards and welcome industry taking a proactive approach to create codes and standards enhancing consumer outcomes,” Minister Hume said.

Megan Beer, CEO Australasia, Resolution Life, said the industry participants were extremely proud to introduce the first ever Professional Standards Framework for the life sector.

“The industry’s commitment to a minimum professional standard in the life insurance sector will enhance the level of professionalism across every level, and consequently increase consumer trust, community satisfaction and confidence knowing that the required services are provided to the highest professional standard,” Ms Beer said.

Brett Clark, TAL Group CEO & Managing Director, said: “A Professional Standards Framework will enhance existing skills and capabilities in the industry, ensuring we set a consistent industry minimum standard of skills and competencies for key parts of the workforce that serve our customers. This Professional Standards Framework sits alongside the industry commitments set out in the Life Insurance Code of Practice, which together, put in place important long term commitments by the life insurance industry to delivering for our customers and the community.”

“We are an industry with a workforce which has a wealth of experience.  Of the survey participants in the demographic research conducted by ANZIIF, over two thirds (66%) have worked in the life insurance industry for over 5 years and 46% have more than 10 years’ life insurance industry experience. This is an asset for any industry, as it brings a breadth and depth of skills that enables us to better serve the needs of our customers,” said Justin Delaney, Zurich Chief Executive Officer, Life & Investments Australia.

Prue Willsford, ANZIIF Chief Executive Officer said the launch of the Professional Standards Framework is a significant and positive step for the life insurance sector and the development of its people.

“Competency Frameworks have been developed for Claims, Underwriting, Product and Distribution functions and will provide life insurance companies with a measurement tool for their own existing internal training, while professional development for employees will provide a roadmap for long-term consistency across the industry,” Ms Willsford said.

ANZIIF will continue to support the industry through its next phase of implementing the Professional Standards Framework. Key stakeholders in the development of the Professional Standards included the Financial Services Council and ALUCA.

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Megan Beer

The life insurance industry recognises that to become a sector the community trusts, the industry must commit to supporting the professionalism of its people.

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance (ANZIIF) and the Life Insurance Professional Standards Working Group (LIPSWG), whose membership is comprised of AIA Australia, AMP Life, BT Life Insurance, ClearView, MLC Life Insurance, TAL Life Limited and Zurich are pleased to announce they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together for the benefit of the industry to:

• establish the Professional Standards Framework;
• undertake a demographic survey; and
• develop an approach to assess current knowledge defined within the agreed framework.

The collaboration and dialogue between key insurance leaders will significantly contribute to the professional standards across the life industry. The findings from the Hayne Royal Commission and PJC report revealed the need to place emphasis and investment into building the professional skills of people in life insurance.

ANZIIF has consulted broadly across the retail life industry, reinsurers, regulatory authorities and associations to ensure broad based support for this collaborative project. The Australasian Life Underwriting and Claims Association (ALUCA) has also been engaged and is contributing to the project.  The LIPSWG members believe this program will improve the professionalism of the life insurance industry; build and improve community confidence in life insurance; create a significantly better experience for customers. The project has the added benefit of creating cultural change and driving strategy to attract and retain career employees.

AMP Life CEO and ANZIIF Board President Ms Megan Beer said, ‘Becoming more trustworthy requires us to demonstrate competence.  Our commitment to lifting professionalism in our industry starts with key roles that deliver value to our customers. Defining what it means to be an insurance professional is fundamental to the future of our industry and working collaboratively is the way we will achieve meaningful change.’

‘The establishment of Life Industry Professional Standards will ensure that life insurance professionals have a high level of well-rounded knowledge, with a focus on good customer outcomes which we believe will increase consumer confidence,’ said Damien Mu Chief Executive Officer AIA.

ANZIIF Chief Executive Officer Prue Willsford shared her enthusiasm of this announcement.

‘Over the last two years, we have established a framework to drive this major collaboration in the life industry around professional standards. I’m proud to collaborate with the 7 companies who represent 95% of the gross written premium in the life industry in this significant project.

ANZIIF will be conducting two major studies. A demographic survey across the entire industry to understand what level of background and skills people bring to the industry. The second will be to develop a knowledge based assessment within the agreed framework.

‘We will lead the collaborative project to establish a Professional Standards Framework which will determine the different job families, and the competencies required to fulfil job roles at every level of experience,’ added Willsford. The significant undertaking will assist Life CEO’s and leaders to create a comprehensive roadmap to understand the investment required to build professional skills within their business.’

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AMP Chief Executive Officer Francesco De Ferrari said the new group structure delivers clear focus on the group’s immediate priorities: reinventing wealth management, executing a successful separation of the wealth protection and mature businesses, and driving change and efficiency across AMP.

The key changes to the group leadership team are:

• Australian wealth management: Alex Wade will lead an expanded portfolio bringing together AMP’s advice, wealth management, product and customer solutions teams. Mr Wade will redefine AMP’s wealth management model to focus on strengthening client outcomes and restoring momentum in the new regulatory environment. Paul Sainsbury, currently Group Executive, Wealth Solutions & Customer, will remain with the group for an interim period to support Mr Wade in ensuring a smooth transition to a single wealth division.
• Australia and New Zealand wealth protection and mature (AMP Life): Megan Beer will lead AMP Life through the separation and transfer to Resolution Life, which is expected 2H 2019. On completion, Ms Beer will join Resolution as CEO AMP Life and Head of Resolution’s Australasian region. Ms Beer’s appointment will help drive separation and ensure a seamless transition for customers and employees. Post completion, AMP will continue to benefit from Ms Beer’s stewardship of Resolution’s businesses in Australia, in which it retains a significant minority interest.
• New Zealand wealth management: Blair Vernon will lead AMP’s New Zealand advice and wealth operations. He will continue to lead AMP’s New Zealand wealth protection and mature operations for an interim period as they transition into the AMP Life business under Megan Beer, ahead of separation.
• Chief Operating Officer: Craig Ryman has been appointed to the expanded role of Chief Operating Officer. Mr Ryman will be responsible for driving efficiency and improving AMP’s capability to execute and deliver change

Management of the other divisions remain unchanged and an updated structure chart is below.

Mr De Ferrari commented “2019 will be a year of significant transition for AMP, and today’s appointments will drive change while retaining experience in our leadership team. In Australian wealth management, I am confident that, under Alex Wade’s leadership, we will be able to reinvent our wealth management business to better compete in the new regulatory environment. I’d like to thank Paul Sainsbury for his ongoing support in establishing our new structure and his years of outstanding service to the group.

“Yesterday’s changes establish clear accountabilities for a successful separation of the insurance and mature businesses this year and setting up the future direction of the new AMP.”

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Megan Beer

AMP’s mental health training, which helps employees and advisers engage with people experiencing mental health issues, has been honoured with the Innovation in Retail Life Insurance award from the Financial Services Council of Australia.

Developed in conjunction with mental health research organisation the Black Dog Institute, the training is well above the FSC standard for mental health in terms of the breadth of people who can access it and the depth of content covered.

Since a training refresh in October 2017, AMP has seen around 600 financial advisers voluntarily undertake the training.

“To have so many of our advisers proactively opt-in to take the training in just six months has exceeded all expectations,” said AMP Group Executive Insurance, Megan Beer.

“It reflects the growing understanding of the impact of mental health on clients and the growing willingness for our broader community to respond to these challenges.

“We’re now planning to make the training available to our external and non-aligned financial advisers.”

Research shows that one in five people suffer from mental illness at any given time, and advisers are well positioned to make a difference.

“This training helps equip advisers if they’re seeing concerning signs in a customer they’ve known and developed a relationship with over time,” said Ms Beer.

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Megan Beer

AMP has launched an updated mental health training program for staff and AMP advisers, developed in conjunction with mental health research organisation the Black Dog Institute, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (8-14 October).

The training module, originally developed for customer facing insurance staff, has been updated with improved tools and functionality and is now well above the FSC standard around mental health education in terms of the breadth of people able to access the training and the depth of content covered.

AMP Group Executive Insurance Megan Beer said mental health is a community issue and broad education and understanding is key.

“With one in five people suffering from mental illness at any given time, we are committed to the role we play not only as an insurer, but as an employer and an advice partner,” she said.

The training is focussed on building the knowledge and skills needed to engage with people experiencing mental health issues. It is designed to give people the tools to manage difficult and challenging conversations so that they feel they can support the customer or colleague, including how to direct people to further help, while taking care of their own mental health.

AMP has worked with Black Dog on staff training for the past three years.

Ms Beer said in 2016 mental health was the top AMP claim condition for women and the second highest for men.

“Improving outcomes for customers impacted by mental health needs a holistic approach; a person’s family, insurer, adviser and GP all need to be on the same page.

“This is why we’re making this training as accessible as possible, beyond just customer facing insurance staff, by offering it to all our staff and AMP advisers.

“We need to focus on education and building awareness at a community level and bust the myths that are barriers to people seeking the help they need,” she said.

AMP recently submitted to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services a recommendation for an education program funded by Government and Industry to assist in raising awareness that customers who seek help for mental illness and are managing their conditions well will not be excluded from obtaining insurance.

Ms Beer added: “It’s crucial people impacted by mental health issues get the help they need as early as possible.  As an industry and as a community we need to ensure people are not afraid of seeking medical assistance because of concerns about insurance implications.

“AMP is committed to taking a leading role in advocating for better outcomes for customers managing mental health issues.  Insurance is only one part of the picture, but we believe that together, we can work to raise awareness and obtain better outcomes for customers, their families and the general community.”

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AMP Group Executive Insurance Megan Beer said AMP is now helping more people get on track with their lives following illness or injury where previously they might not have been participating in important recovery plans.

Case managers are also reporting a 65 per cent increase in customer compliments and a 50 per cent decrease in customer complaints.

“The program, which draws extensively on motivational interviewing techniques, empowers case managers to demonstrate their empathy more effectively, resulting in heightened mutual trust in their customer relationships,” Ms Beer said.

“Our new process puts the customer at the centre of their own recovery, harnessing the power of their own goals and motivations.

“Case managers help our customers articulate their own recovery goals and tap into their own motivations that will help them achieve these goals,” she said.

The program helps case managers identify a customer’s actual capacity and motivators for recovery and these insights are turned into bespoke case management strategies for customers.

Ms Beer added: “This program builds on the work we started several years ago to transform how we manage the claims process, making it less complex and more personal and focussed on providing expert help.

“We understand that as an insurer we show up in our customers’ lives when they are at their most vulnerable and our role is about more than just paying a claim; it’s about being there to support our customers to live a healthy life in the long-term,” Ms Beer said.

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Allan has held the position of Deputy President since 2016 and accepted the Presidency when Karl Armstrong stepped down at the end of his two year term. ‘I am excited to lead ANZIIF, as President, and work with the management team to realise the goals and vision of the organisation,’ said Allan. Prue Willsford, ANZIIF CEO paid tribute to Karl Armstrong ‘Karl has made a significant contribution to ANZIIF during a period of major change. He was also the first ANZIIF President from New Zealand.’

During the year, ANZIIF also welcomed Tim Plant, Group Executive, Self Insurance, Community and Innovation at icare and Donna Walker, Executive General Manager of Broker Business at iag. ‘We are pleased to welcome Tim and Donna, both of whom have a wealth of experience, to the ANZIIF Board. I am certain that their capabilities and knowledge of the industry will be of great benefit to ANZIIF,’ said Willsford.

2017 ANZIIF Board

• Allan Reynolds (President), Executive General Manager – NZ + Direct Steadfast
• Megan Beer (Deputy President), Group Executive, Insurance AMP
• Karl Armstrong (Immediate Past President), Chief Risk Officer, IAG New Zealand Limited
• Paul Allison, Vice Chairman Australia New Zealand
• Guy Carpenter
• Andrew Bart, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, Crawford and Company Australia Pty Ltd
• Tim Considine, Managing Director, Austbrokers Countrywide
• Daniel Fogarty, Consultant
• Jonathon Fox, Executive General Manager, Claims, QBE Insurance Australia & New Zealand
• Chun Ming (Tony) Lee, Assistant Vice President, Allied World Assurance Company Ltd
• Callan McDonnell, Executive Manager Customer Culture, Suncorp
• Paul Munton, Executive General Manager Broking Branches, Rothbury Insurance Brokers
• Tim Plant, Group Executive, Self Insurance, Community and Innovation, icare
• Donna Walker, Executive General Manager – Broker Business, iag
• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and President Karl Armstrong also recognised a number of award winners and members for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

Peter E Daly AM was recognised with Honorary Membership for his extraordinary service to the insurance industry. Mr Daly was President, as well as CEO, of the Insurance Council of Australia, Chair of the Financial Ombudsman Service and formerly Chairman of AAMI Limited and Concord Group Limited. He was also Chairman of HDI-Gerling Australia Pty. Ltd. and a member of the Legal Practitioners Liability Committee in Victoria. In addition, he was Managing Director of Norwich Winterthur Group Limited and is currently Chairman at Australian Landscape Trust, which administers properties in Gippsland and Renmark concentrating on conservation and environment.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Senior Associate John Peberdy. Mr Peberdy commenced work in the insurance industry in 1973 and throughout his career has generously contributed to a broad range of industry boards and activities including Chair of VMIA; Director of ARPC; Chairman of Stewards Insurance Services Pty Ltd; Deputy Chairman of Christian Super; Non-Executive Director of Protecsure Pty Ltd; Director of ICA; and Director and industry representative for the Financial Ombudsman Service. During the past five years, Mr Peberdy has supported ANZIIF by developing and facilitating various international workshops and seminars in China, Hong Kong and Melbourne for senior industry leaders and insurance technical specialists. In addition, Mr Peberdy was the first Chair of ANZIIF’s General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board and is a long-serving Australian Insurance Industry Awards judge.

The E.E. Vines Memorial Prize, awarded to the ANZIIF member who authored the most meritorious paper published in the Journal, ANZIIF’s quarterly publication, was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Dr Chris Wallace for his paper titled ‘Cyber Terrorism and Australia’s Terrorism Insurance Scheme’ which was published in Journal Vol. 39 No. 2.

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AMP Chief Executive Craig Meller said the new group structure delivers sharper  focus on performance in the core Australian businesses, drives efficiency  across the group and provides increased emphasis on the growth drivers in the portfolio.

The key changes to the group leadership team are:

• Wealth Solutions and Customer: Paul Sainsbury will lead a new division bringing together customer, wealth  management and product solutions.
• Advice and New Zealand: Jack Regan, currently Managing Director New Zealand, will lead an expanded  portfolio, assuming responsibility for AMP’s advice businesses. Mr Regan will retain responsibility for the  management of AMP New Zealand.
• AMP Bank: Sally Bruce will join the  group leadership team as Group Executive, AMP Bank.
• Insurance: Megan Beer will be appointed Group Executive, Insurance, bringing single point accountability to the stabilisation and management of the insurance business.
• Technology and Operations: Craig Ryman will become Group Executive, Technology and Operations, assuming an expanded portfolio combining IT and operations.
• Enterprise Risk Management: Saskia Goedhart, Chief Risk Officer, will join the group leadership team.

The leadership changes are effective 1 January 2017.  Management of the other divisions remain  unchanged.  An updated structure chart and biographies are attached.

As a  result of the changes, three executives will leave the organisation: Pauline Blight-Johnston, Group Executive, Insurance, Super and Risk Management; Rob Caprioli, Group Executive, Advice and Banking; and Wendy Thorpe, Group Executive Operations. Ms Thorpe had previously advised her intent to retire and will leave the business in early  2017 after helping to ensure the smooth transition of the operations  function.  Ms Thorpe will also shortly  join the board of AMP Bank as a Non-Executive Director.

“I would like to thank those  executives who are leaving the organisation for their contribution to AMP and  to the transformation of our core Australian business during the past three  years.  I wish each of them well for the future,” said Mr Meller.

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