Debbie Kennedy, former group head of protection strategy at UK life insurer Royal London, has been appointed to the newly expanded role of Chief Underwriter at MLC Life Insurance.

She will manage more than 130 people, and is charged with developing underwriting strategy, along with all new business and underwriting operations.

Her previous roles include MD of specialist professional services at Capita, head of business change and chief underwriter at Axa, and underwriting manager at Swiss Re.

She will report to Chief Customer Officer Retail Advised Insurance Melissa Heyhoe.

“Her intimate knowledge of [automation platform] UnderwriteMe and innovation in the area of predictive analytics will be invaluable as we seek to provide a more streamlined and efficient underwriting process for customers and advisers,” Ms Heyhoe said.

Ms Kennedy joins later this year and will be based in Melbourne.