Banking veteran to take on top exec role at life insurance merger

Ahead of the Nippon Life-Resolution Life transaction’s expected closing later this year the future life insurance conglomerate has continued its appointment spree, this time announcing seasoned banking executive, Chris de Bruin, as group chief executive.

de Bruin’s appointment as CEO of the eventual Acenda Group, the product of the merger between Acenda (formerly MLC Life Insurance) and Resolution Life Australasia, will see the current life insurer CEOs – Kent Griffin and Tim Tez – step down from their respective roles once the purchase is finalised and the merger has been completed, only remaining with the business to support the transition.

“It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to Mr. de Bruin upon his appointment as the new CEO of the Acenda Group. I am confident that he brings the experience and strategic insight essential for steering the organization through the integration process and beyond,” Satoshi Asahi, President of Nippon Life, said.

“I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Kent Griffin for his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Acenda during his appointment.

“Under Mr. de Bruin’s leadership, I believe the Acenda Group will enhance its position in the market while consistently delivering exceptional service and value to its policyholders. I look forward to supporting him as he embarks on this important journey to lead our Australian and New Zealand operations.”

de Bruin brings over 25 years of experience in financial services and the banking sector in particular, having enjoyed previous senior roles at Westpac, Standard Chartered Bank, several fintechs and other non-bank financial institutions.

“I am excited to join the Acenda Group at the start of this new chapter. I would like to thank Nippon Life President Satoshi Asahi and Resolution Life Founder & CEO Sir Clive Cowdery for the opportunity,” de Bruin said.

“Building on the foundations established under the leadership of Kent Griffin and Tim Tez, I look forward to working with our Chair Craig Dunn, the Board, our shareholders and the exceptional team across the Acenda Group to achieve our vision to provide outstanding service and value to our customers and partners.”

de Bruin’s appointment is the latest in a string of hires announced by the future life insurance group ahead of the overarching transaction’s completion, including Catherine Dubé, David Stephen, Melissa Babbage and Rosheen Garnon as independent non-executive directors and Craig Dunn as Chair.

“On behalf of everyone at the new Acenda Group, I extend a generous welcome to Mr. Chris de Bruin as our new CEO,” Dunn said.

“Having had the pleasure of working with Chris before, I know the strength of leadership and strategic insight he will bring to the role, and the great passion he has for creating an exceptional experience for both customers and employees alike.

“I pass on my sincere thanks and best wishes to both Kent and Tim for their dedication and commitment to leading the organisations that will make up the Acenda Group, and for fostering the development of the growth platforms that I know will provide a strong foundation for the future success of Acenda.”

“This is an important time for the industry in Australia and New Zealand, and Acenda’s customer focussed agenda will greatly benefit from Chris de Bruin’s strategic vision,” Sir Clive Cowdery, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Resolution Life, said.

“I would like to thank to Tim Tez for the outstanding job he has done as CEO of Resolution Life Australasia during these last three years.”