Resolution Life execs to remain with merger end product

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

29 July 2025

The current Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer of Resolution Life Australasia are set to continue in these roles for the resultant merged life insurance entity, Acenda Group, according to a new announcement.

The appointments of Yvonne Le Bas as future Group Chief Financial Officer and Karen Malzard as Group Chief Risk Officer follow several other hiring announcements made in anticipation of the merger between Acenda (formerly MLC Life) and Resolution Life Australasia, contingent on Nippon Life’s acquisition of Resolution Life to be finalised this year.

Le Bas and Malzard join future Group Chief Executive Officer, Chris de Bruin; future Acenda Board Chair, Craig Dunn; and future Independent Non-Executive Directors announced recently.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Yvonne and Karen on their appointments; an exciting milestone in establishing the Acenda Group,” Dunn said.

“Yvonne and Karen, alongside Group CEO Chris de Bruin, bring deep expertise and strong leadership capabilities to Acenda. I have great confidence in their ability to lead the business with integrity and a commitment to our customers and partners across Australia and New Zealand.”

Le Bas and Malzard bring a combined 50 years of experience in financial services to their ongoing roles, having spent time in executive roles at several high profile companies including BT Financial Group, Westpac, ANZ Bank and Zurich Financial Services.

“I am excited to work alongside Yvonne and Karen as part of Acenda’s future leadership team,” de Bruin said.

“Their combined experience across financial services and life insurance, as well as their strong leadership capabilities will benefit Acenda as we lead the merged organisation through this important time for our business and the industry.”