MLC Life Insurance appoints 2 new executives

MLC Life Insurance has announced the appointment of two new executives to its team: Gerard Kerr as the new chief executive of individual business and Jane McGovern as the chief customer and strategy officer.

Chief executive of MLC Life Insurance Kent Griffin said the appointment of Kerr and McGovern reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing its proposition to advisers and their clients.

“Throughout our long history, financial advisers have been vital partners for MLC Life Insurance,” Griffin said.

Prior to joining MLC Life, Kerr was the group executive, life insurance at ClearView Wealth for almost four years, before which he was the head of OnePath propositions and group life at Zurich Financial Services Australia. Kerr has also held a number of senior life insurance positions at both ANZ and Asteron.

“An experienced industry leader like Gerard allows us to build on the improvements to our adviser experience and deliver on our promise to customers who receive the critical support of advisers. This reinforces our commitment to the health and success of the financial advice industry more broadly,” Griffin said.

He added: “We’re very fortunate to have someone with Gerard’s breadth of experience and expertise join the executive team at such an important time.”

Speaking on his appointment, Kerr said he aims to help financial advisers deliver more for their clients.

“I’ve been tasked with putting advisers at the centre of our retail business and I’m excited to work with an incredible team and join an already stellar effort happening in this space,” Kerr said.

“I think MLC Life Insurance have an incredible offering for advisers, and the backing of Nippon Life makes that offering even stronger. I’m looking forward to getting out and talking to advisers about how we can help them and their clients.”

Prior to her appointment, McGovern held a number of senior positions across the life insurance sector, most recently as MLC Life’s chief risk officer.

Prior to this, she worked for icare NSW as chief risk officer and then group executive, risk and governance, and has also held senior roles at Allianz Australia and Zurich Financial Services Australia.

“Jane has delivered positive cultural change across the organisation as well as a focus on achieving better outcomes for our customers, and now she will further strengthen our total customer experience which is the core of our strategy,” Griffin said.

“I’m excited to continue working with Jane to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers and partners.”

McGovern added: “I’ve seen first-hand MLC Life’s commitment to its customers and partners, and I’m looking forward to working with an amazing team to take the total customer experience to the next level.”