MLC Life Insurance has announced that CEO and managing director Rodney Cook will retire at the end of 2022 following a two and a half-year stint in the role.
Following his appointment in June 2020, Mr Cook led the life insurance business through a number of changes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including the completion of its technology transformation program, Sanagi.
Mr Cook will stay on with MLC Life Insurance until late October when he will be succeeded by incoming CEO and current chief finance officer, Kent Griffin.
“I am pleased the board has chosen Kent to take over from Rodney as our new CEO. He is an outstanding leader and brings a wealth of commercial and strategic experience to the role,” MLC Limited chairman, Peter Grey, said.
“Since he joined us in early 2020, Kent has helped to strengthen our business and has overseen our return to profitability. He is a strong leader with a clear vision for the future of MLC life Insurance as we face the challenges of a fast-changing life insurance sector and ever evolving customer needs.
“On behalf of the board, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Rodney for guiding us successfully over the last two years. During his tenure, Rodney commenced an important change to our culture and mindset to one that is relentlessly focused on the needs of our customers. We are confident this good work will continue after his departure.”
Mr Griffin has over 30 years’ experience in financial services. Prior to joining MLC Life Insurance in February 2020, he served as CFO at TAL between 2012 to 2019 and previously was a partner at Ernst & Young and regional CFO at AX Asia Life.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead MLC Life insurance as we seek to achieve our ambition of becoming Australia’s leading and most trusted life insurer,” Mr Griffin said.
“With the continued backing of our shareholders Nippon Life and NAB, I am confident in the bright future for our company and its customers, partners and people.”
