TAL has recruited former head of wealth products at Macquarie Bank Justin Delaney as its new COO.

He will be responsible for TAL’s core life insurance product manufacturing, customer and partner services.

Group CEO Brett Clark says the appointment will help the insurer execute its strategy.

“We face a rapidly changing business and regulatory environment, and it is the right time to create this role,” he said.

“Mr Delaney is a very experienced senior wealth management and life insurance executive, with strong experience in operations, strategy, value-creation and building organisations to deliver efficient, well-designed products and service capabilities.”

A spokesman for Macquarie Bank would not comment on who will replace Mr Delaney. 

TAL has also recruited Anne Clarke as Chief General Counsel, responsible for representing the company externally, covering industry and regulatory agendas.

Mr Clark says she will help TAL achieve its objectives within the regulatory and legal environment, providing broad strategic advice and managing regulatory relationships.

“She is a very experienced senior wealth management lawyer and is highly regarded in the industry for both her technical skill and her ability to operate and communicate at senior executive, board and regulator levels,” he said.

“Ms Clarke also has a reputation for her comprehensive knowledge of the commercial and industry environment.”

She was previously head of product – legal at AMP and executive counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills.