MLC Life appoints chief risk officer

MLC Life Insurance has announced that Melissa Ammon will officially take over as chief risk officer after six months acting in the role following her predecessor Jane McGovern’s appointment as chief customer and strategy officer in September.

In her official capacity as chief risk officer, Ammon will lead the insurer’s risk function, including the risk, compliance, governance and legal teams.

Prior to taking on the role in September, Ammon was MLC Life’s general manager, risk, just shy of two years, before which she was the a general manager across several departments for icare NSW.

MLC Life chief executive and managing director Kent Griffin said he was pleased to continue working with Ammon during such a pivotal time for the company.

“Melissa is a highly respected leader with more than 25 years’ experience spanning insurance, financial planning, superannuation and asset management,” Griffin said.

“Since joining MLC Life Insurance, Melissa has driven a positive uplift in our risk capability. She has also done a fantastic job leading our risk, compliance, governance and legal function during what has become a time of significant change for our business.”

This follows an announcement in December that Nippon Life Insurance Company had acquired the remaining 20 per cent of MLC Life that National Australia Bank (NAB) had retained since 2016 when the group initially acquired an 80 per cent stake in the insurer.

In addition to this, Nippon also acquired 100 per cent of Resolution Life Australasia with plans to merge the two life insurers and form Acenda, set to be one of Australia’s largest life insurers upon completion.

“Melissa’s appointment further strengthens our leadership capability and I am delighted to have Melissa join our executive team as we progress plans to complete the merger and become Acenda later this year,” Griffin said.