TAL CEO to depart, successor named

TAL group chief executive and managing director Brett Clark is set to step down from the role following his promotion to Asia-Pacific CEO and managing director of TAL’s parent company, Dai-ichi Life Group, from July.

Clark has been with the life insurer for almost 16 years, nine of which have been spent as CEO. First joining the company in 2008, he spearheaded TAL’s retail life segment for four years before his appointment to chief executive, TAL Life, and later as deputy group CEO in 2014.

“It’s been a privilege to lead TAL through a significant period of growth and industry change,” Clark said.

“TAL is a company with a long and proud history in Australia, and I’ve seen every day the difference that we make to the lives of our customers and their families.

“I’m excited by my new opportunity with Dai-ichi Life Group, and to be able to continue to support Fiona and TAL as part of my CEO role in Asia-Pacific.”

Namely, TAL’s chief executive for individual life, Fiona Macgregor, will succeed Clark as group chief executive and managing director, continuing in her current capacity in the interim as part of a leadership transition over the next three months.

TAL confirmed in a statement that Macgregor – who will formally commence in the role on 1 October – will be responsible for leading the firm through its ongoing strategy in the life insurance and retirement markets with a focus on digitally enabled market-leading customer and partner experience.

Commenting on the transition, TAL board chair Mark Joiner said: “Fiona Macgregor is an impressive leader with more than 10 years in senior leadership roles at TAL. She has a strong track record of leadership in the business and has helped to grow and shape TAL.”

“Fiona knows our business well and has a deep appreciation for the needs and expectations of our customers and partners in the evolving life insurance and retirement income markets. The board has been carefully preparing for CEO succession and we are confident Fiona is the right person to lead TAL into the future.”

Joiner thanked Clark for his leadership of TAL over the last nine years.

“He has built a strong executive team and provided the vision and leadership enabling TAL to grow and go from strength to strength to become one of Australia’s leading life insurers during a significant period of change for the life insurance industry.”

Moreover, Macgregor said she is looking forward to leading TAL Australia through its next stage of development.

“Together with our partners, we want to continue to ensure Australians are well-protected and supported in living the life they have planned for themselves and their families. We’ll keep working hard to ensure we deliver products that are relevant and valued, and a faster, better service experience,” she said.

“I’m immensely proud of the contribution we make and the help we provide to Australians when they need us most. I feel privileged to have this opportunity to lead the TAL team.”