AIA Australia has appointed Marsh and McLennan Chief Country Officer Ben Walsh to the newly created role of Chief Life Insurance Officer, effective from June.

Mr Walsh is also Mercer Australia and New Zealand CEO and MD and has worked with the group for more than two decades.

In the new role he will drive the direction of AIA’s life insurance arm, which includes CommInsure Life, and will report to Australia and New Zealand CEO Damien Mu.

“As the business continues to grow, Ben’s leadership and expertise will allow us to deliver greater value in life insurance, further strengthening our leadership by identifying and investing in innovative ways to meet evolving customer needs and expectations,” Mr Mu said.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia sold the CommInsure Life business to AIA last year for $2.375 billion.

“I have admired AIA and its people since prior to its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and over the years have been fortunate enough to visit its operations and leadership in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Australia,” Mr Walsh said.

Mr Walsh worked with Marsh in general insurance broking and risk management consulting early in his career.