A new TAL appointment will focus on the long-term health and wellbeing of its customers.

It has recruited former long-term Macquarie Life Head of Underwriting Sally Phillips to a new role, GM for Health Services.

She will be responsible for all TAL’s health services and will work with multiple business teams, including innovation, marketing and distribution. Dr Phillips will also focus on the development of new markets.

TAL already provides white label life insurance products to a number of financial institutions, including health insurer NIB.

TAL COO Justin Delaney says the synergy between health and life insurance will continue to strengthen.

“The life insurance sector clearly has a role to play in encouraging and rewarding healthy behaviours,” he said.

“Our industry is changing, and the benefits we provide are evolving to ensure people are given the best support to get back to living the life they want and achieving their desired lifestyle.”

TAL has launched its own fitness program – Health Sense: Fit for Life – in competition with AIA’s successful Vitality scheme, which the insurer offers throughout Asia.

Mr Delaney says the fitness program “will make a difference in this space and will evolve with new initiatives and tools, with Dr Phillips having a significant input into this”.