The first appointment AZ NGA announced was that of Tanya Dawson, who has been permanently named chief people officer, and will report to the group’s chief executive Paul Barrett.
Dawson joined the advice platform group in November of last year, acting in her now permanent position. She has over 25 years of financial services and human resources experience under her belt, and has held previous roles at ClearView, Cuscal Payments and Zurich Cover-More.
Another former Cuscal Payments executive has also jumped over to AZ NGA, with Cormac Galvin being appointed as general manager, finance and transformation, and will be reporting to chief financial officer Jodie Blackledge. He was formally head of finance and treasury at Cuscal Payments.
Meanwhile, former Vital Business Partners chief information and digital officer Shaun Nesbitt has been appointed as chief technology officer.
Nesbitt will lead the group’s technology strategy and digital transformation agenda, overseeing key areas including advice technology platforms, data and AI capabilities, and cyber security as the firm continues to invest in scaling its adviser support infrastructure.
Former general manager, technology and operations at Diverger, Sonya Choi La Rosa has been appointed head of business improvement.
She will be responsible for building the group’s ‘Advice Model Office’ and, according to AZ NGA, will be incorporating best practice processes, common technology, integrated change capability and a focus on “continuous improvement in experience and delivery”.
The final appointment was that of Neil Gellett, who will be occupying the head of product role. Gellett will develop AZ NGA’s product strategy, establish a product governance and oversight framework, and strengthen relationships with key investment, life insurance and platform partners.
Nesbitt, Choi La Rosa and Gellett will report to Nathan Jacobse, chief operating officer at AZ NGA. All three roles are newly created positions.
“AZ NGA is an ambitious, fast-growing business and we are investing heavily in our people and teams to ensure that we have the right skills and expertise to deliver significant benefits, achieve our objectives and targets, and continue growing and scaling,” Barrett said.
“Backed by a supportive Board, we have the plan, the funding and the people to execute our strategy and this is an exciting time for the business.”
Jacobsen added on the appointments: “We are looking to leverage our scale to deliver improved outcomes, not only in terms of the bottom line, but risk controls and client experience.”
“Many of the areas that my team is focused on are not central to an adviser’s value proposition, they are back-office activities and functions, but they are critical in driving performance and underpinning long-term growth.”
