MLC, ClearView hire insurance heads

MLC Life Insurance has recruited Bozenna Hinton as head of portfolio management, individual life, at TAL to be its new general manager of product, pricing and retail insurance proposition.

In the new role, Ms Hinton is reporting directly to chief life insurance officer Michael Rogers and has become a member of his life insurance leadership team.

She will be responsible for ensuring the sustainability of MLC Life Insurance’s portfolio, including the new income protection product to be launched later this year.

Ms Hinton has a reported 20 years’ experience in the life insurance industry, having previously been in actuarial consulting for Ernst & Young and Trowbridge Consulting.

She is currently chair of the international committee for the Actuaries Institute of Australia. Ms Hinton has also been chair of the International Actuarial Association (IAA) education committee since 2016.

“She is a highly qualified and experienced insurance industry professional with a passion for driving great customer outcomes, backed by her extensive experience and expertise in several areas of life insurance,” Mr Rogers said.

“These attributes are especially important for us as we seek to enhance our customer and partner experiences particularly in licensee and adviser markets.”

Ms Hinton added that she is excited to be joining an “iconic Australian life insurer” in a critical time for the company.

“I believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of the many opportunities ahead of us, with a focus on improving the experience of customers, licensees and advisers," she said.

Meanwhile ClearView Wealth has nabbed Maria Falas, a former head of mental health and wellness at Zurich Financial Services, to take its newly formed position of head of life strategy and transformation.

Ms Falas will be held responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of ClearView’s life insurance strategy, facilitating greater collaboration across business functions and spearheading business improvement initiatives. She will report to Gerard Kerr, ClearView general manager of life insurance.

Ms Falas previously has held senior positions at ANZ/OnePath.

Mr Kerr reported the appointment reflected the company’s need for a dedicated role to lead strategy and change, during a period of growth and transformation at ClearView, and disruption for the broader life insurance industry.

“The life insurance industry is undergoing enormous structural and regulatory change making it critically important for life insurers to have experienced people with fresh ideas in key roles,” he said.

“Maria is a respected professional who has successfully led strategic change across the life insurance value chain and has driven operational innovation.”

Ms Falas added it is an “exciting time” to join ClearView.