ClearView recruits former Westpac technology head

In a statement released on Monday, Clearview said Hicham Mourad, who had held a number of IT-related roles for Westpac Group including head of technology platforms for BT and head of technology platforms, investments and operations for Westpac bank, had recently been appointed to “lead the implementation of the group’s reinvigorated IT strategy”.

Mr Mourad had also previously held roles at boutique technology consultancy Mapleleaf Consulting and ANZ.

ClearView managing director Simon Swanson said Mr Mourad was respected in his field and would be a highly qualified addition to the group’s management team.

“Hicham is a respected financial services IT executive who brings with him decades of experience in strategic planning and operational execution,” Mr Swanson said.

“He has strong technical and business qualifications and is a proven leader of high performing teams, making him the ideal candidate to oversee the execution of ClearView’s IT and development plans at this important period for the business.”

One of Mr Mourad’s key responsibilities in the new role would be to oversee the development of ClearView’s new policy administration system and underwriting rules engine for its life insurance business, initiatives that had arisen from the group’s IT strategy review completed in the 2019 financial year.

“The focus of these changes is to ensure that ClearView can improve both client and adviser service; swiftly adapt to industry changes; and ensure we have an IT platform that can grow as the business grows,” Mr Swanson said.