MLC Life Insurance has flagged an increased presence in the group market, making five senior appointments to its team – including three from TAL’s group life operation.

Former TAL senior manager client relationships Michael Shagrin joins as Senior Relationships Manager Corporate and Industry Funds. He previously worked for MLC from 1989 to 2005.

Also joining from TAL is Sean Potter, as Senior Relationship Manager.

He has also worked at Aviva and has more than 20 years’ experience in life insurance, with a focus on claims.

The third TAL recruit is Matt Lang, joining as Senior Manager Transformation, responsible for changing how fund members handle their insurance as MLC invests in significant technology and systems upgrades.

Jenny Liu joins from MetLife to become Pricing Manager, and Megan Clements arrives from AMP as Strategic Product Manager.

MLC Chief Customer Officer Group Insurance Suzanne Smith says the group team has added experienced pricing actuaries, insurance product experts and relationship managers with extensive institutional experience.

“Our ability to attract such great external talent is testament to our plans to broaden and deepen our servicing of corporate and industry funds,” she said. “The recent acquisition of 80% shares of MLC Nippon Life presents us with the opportunity to invest and grow.

“With this expanded team in place, we are in a very strong position to deepen our existing partnerships with our customers and expand our industry fund portfolio.”