CALI board announces significant changes

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) board has elected MLC Life Insurance chief executive and managing director Kent Griffin to serve as the new co-chair alongside Damien Mu of AIA Australia.

Griffin brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked more than 30 years in corporate and consulting positions in the financial services industry, both in Australia and abroad.

CALI CEO Christine Cupitt said Griffin is a welcome addition to its board of directors.

“Kent is well known in our industry as an accomplished and respected leader. He’s a wonderful fit for our board and we’re thrilled with this appointment,” Cupitt said.

Griffin said he was pleased to be joining CALI at such a pivotal time for the industry.

“MLC Life Insurance has strongly supported CALI since it was first established and I’m proud to be so closely involved with its progress as it continues to go from strength to strength” Griffin said.

“It’s a pivotal time for our industry and CALI’s an essential part of driving better outcomes for the millions of people Australia’s life insurers serve every day.”

Griffin will be taking over from Brett Clark as the former co-chair moves to become the chief executive for Asia-Pacific at TAL’s parent company, Dai-ichi Life, after serving almost a decade as CEO and managing director of TAL Group.

Clark said he is grateful for his time with CALI and congratulated Griffin on his new role.

“It has been a privilege to have played a role in the establishment of CALI and see its early work benefit customers and the community. I congratulate Kent on his appointment and wish him, Damien and the entire board and CALI team well in the future,” Clark said.

Cupitt added: “Brett has played a fundamental role in establishing CALI and ensuring its success as the leading and trusted voice of life insurance in Australia. We thank him for his invaluable contribution, expertise and guidance.”

Changes to the directors

Three new board directors have also been appointed, including TAL Group CEO and managing director Fiona Macgregor, Munich Re Australasia Life CEO Nicolas Carro, and Challenger chief executive of life and solutions Anton Kapel.

Additionally, after two years on the board, Pacific Life Re managing director of protection, Asia-Pacific and global strategy Tyson Johnston has retired from the board, bringing the total number of directors to 10.

“We look forward to working with these impressive industry leaders to ensure that Australians of all walks of life view our industry as accessible, understandable and trusted,” Cupitt said.

“Tyson has been the consistent voice of reinsurers across our membership, and we thank him for his valuable contributions and his service, which came at such an important time for our organisation.”