TAL announces important Affinia appointments
Media Release -
TAL is committed to the important role that independent financial advisers provide in delivering quality advice to Australian consumers. To support that commitment TAL is today re-affirming the importance of its growing Affinia business with two key appointments: Mr Steve Helmich as Chair to the Affinia Board and Marcus O’Sullivan as Head of Affinia.
Affinia is a specialised licensee of independent risk advisers and offers advisers a life risk business culture with rigorous compliance frameworks, technology tools and professional development.
Affinia has ambitious growth plans over the next three years and the appointments of Steve and Marcus will help drive the execution of Affinia’s strategy.
TAL Group CEO Brett Clark said the appointment of Steve to the Affinia Board as Chair is an important appointment for Affinia and will bring enormous depth and experience of financial advice to the Affinia Board.
"We are very excited that Steve will Chair the Affinia Board. Steve has had an outstanding career in financial services and financial advice in particular. Steve will provide invaluable direction for Affinia, supporting our growth objectives and ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively, particularly during this transition period for the industry. We are committed to advisers and the important role high quality financial advice has in the community. Steve’s stewardship will ensure excellent leadership to the Affinia Board."
"It is crucial that our board has strong governance structures in place and I am confident Steve will provide unique expertise and insight for our Affinia business to help drive our growth ambition. I am absolutely delighted he has accepted the role of Chair", Mr Clark said.
Of the appointment, Mr Helmich said: "I am very excited about the opportunity with Affinia and the TAL Group. It became clear to me early in the process that Brett and his team are determined to see Affinia become one of the leading licensees in the advice profession with a strong focus on supporting advisers to provide the best possible advice and service to their clients. This combination of putting clients first and being very adviser focussed had great appeal to me and made my decision to take on the role an easy one."
Steve joins as Chair of Affinia after a long and very successful career at AMP.
Marcus will be Head of Affinia, effective 1 November. Marcus has extensive experience working with financial advisers. He has been an executive with TAL since 2012.
"Marcus is passionate about financial advice and has over 20 years’ experience and has held a number of senior management positions across life companies, reinsurers and dealer groups, including chief underwriter and director of life-risk. We welcome Marcus to the role," Mr Clark said.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Craig Parker for his leadership of Affinia. Craig launched Affinia and his commitment and passion to the business has made it what it is today. We are currently working with Craig on new opportunities within TAL."
Natalie Kitchen Head of Corporate Affairs T: 02 9448 9224, 0432 419 533
About TAL: The specialist voice of life insurance in Australia
TAL is Australia's largest life insurance company with leading competitive offerings in each of its core distribution channels: direct to customers; through financial advisers; and via group and workplace superannuation schemes. TAL provides more life insurance solutions to Australians than any other insurer. TAL is owned by The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, one of Japan's largest life insurers.
Affinia is a new dealer group for risk advisers. Set up by risk specialists, for risk specialists, we want to do things differently. We're backed by TAL, Australia's leading specialist life insurer. Come and see us at www.affinia.com.au