MLC Life Insurance has appointed Mark Puli, CEO of ESSSuper, as its new Chief Group Insurance Officer following changes made to the structure of its Life Insurance Division.
A statement from the insurer says that following a review, the company’s Group Insurance team will become a separate, standalone function reporting directly to CEO Rodney Cook.
It says the Retail Insurance team will continue to remain in the Life Insurance Division, under the leadership of Chief Life Insurance Officer Michael Rogers.
Puli will join MLC Life Insurance in late January 2022 and will replace outgoing Chief Group Insurance Officer, Sean Williamson.
The company says that Puli has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services. Most recently he was the CEO at ESSSuper since 2011, after initially joining the fund in 2009 as Chief Financial Officer.
He has held senior roles at Aviva Australia, Merrill Lynch Investment Management and Mercer.
Cook says the life insurance industry continues to undergo significant change, particularly in group insurance.
“Given our ambition to grow our presence in the group market, the Board and I believe the time is right for it to become a separate, standalone division, reporting directly to me. We believe this change will provide even stronger support for our existing and future group partners.”
MLC Life Insurance also acknowledged the significant role that Williamson has played over recent years.
It says he has been an important member of the leadership team and has made a strong contribution to MLC Life Insurance in the group market.
