Insurance giant appoints senior executive

Ben Walsh will serve as chief life insurance officer and report to chief executive and managing director of AIA Australia and New Zealand, Damien Mu.

“We’re thrilled to have secured such a high-calibre leader in Ben, who joins the AIA family with decades of experience and a shared passion for purpose and making a difference in peoples’ lives,” Mr Mu said.

“As the business continues to grow, Ben’s leadership and expertise will allow us to deliver greater value in life insurance, further strengthening our leadership by identifying and investing in innovative ways to meet evolving customer needs and expectations.”

Mr Walsh is currently managing director and CEO of Mercer Australia and New Zealand, where he was responsible for delivering the firm’s business segments of health, wealth and career.

He was also chief country officer of Mercer’s parent, Marsh & McLennan Companies, and director of five Mercer boards across Australia and New Zealand, including the trustee of the $25 billion in FUM in Mercer Master Trust.

“I have admired AIA and its people since prior to its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and over the years have been fortunate enough to visit its operations and leadership in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Australia,” Mr Walsh said.

As the largest global life insurer in the world, AIA is extremely well placed to deliver its vision and in this new role, I look forward to helping the business and team, along with clients and partners, make Australia one of the healthiest and best protected nations in the world.”

AIA Australia recently announced the launch of a new private health insurance brand that will replace the company’s myOwn Health offering and allow customers access to AIA Vitality.