Macquarie Life has appointed former TAL underwriting manager Tony Baker as its new financial risks manager.

He will provide specialist expertise and support to advisers on financial underwriting and claims cases.

Mr Baker has extensive experience in financial underwriting through previous roles with retail life insurance companies and reinsurance firms, Macquarie Life Head of Underwriting and Claims Sally Phillips says.

The company has also appointed Nathan Sweeny as a senior underwriter.

Mr Sweeny was previously at BT Life and has six years’ experience in underwriting. Dr Phillips says he also has in-depth medical knowledge that will help advisers with the technical aspects of writing life insurance cover.

“When it comes to writing life insurance, there are a range of factors that need to be considered to make sure clients receive the right cover with the right underwriting risk assessment,” she said.

“This is why it is so important for advisers to have access to skilled underwriters.”