MLC Life Insurance says CFO Kent Griffin will take on the CEO role in late October, replacing Rodney Cook who is retiring at the end of the year.

Mr Cook, who has served in the position since June 2020, will continue to lead the business over the next five months to ensure a smooth transition, the life insurer said in a statement.

MLC Chairman Peter Grey says the incoming CEO is an “outstanding leader and brings a wealth of commercial and strategic experience to the role”.

“Since he joined us in early 2020, [Mr Griffin] has helped to strengthen our business and has overseen our return to profitability,” Mr Grey said.

“He is a strong leader with a clear vision for the future of MLC life Insurance as we face the challenges of a fast-changing life insurance sector and ever evolving customer needs.”

Mr Griffin has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, both in Australia and internationally. Prior to joining MLC Life Insurance in February 2020, he was the CFO at TAL from 2012-2019.