MLC Life Insurance has announced the appointment of Mick Jones, chief underwriter of HSBC in Hong Kong, as its new head of underwriting.

Jones will officially join MLC Life in August to lead and enhance the performance of its underwriting team nationally, and to enhance the life insurer’s new automated underwriting platform.

“Mick is a highly respected leader in the life insurance industry and joins us as we begin a new era of underwriting,” said Debbie Kennedy, chief underwriting officer at MLC Life Insurance. “His experience across Australia and Asia will be invaluable as we seek to bring this important function into the digital age, develop our team and provide a more streamlined and efficient process for customers and advisers.”

Jones brings more than three decades of underwriting, life insurance, and reinsurance experience to his new role, including leadership positions in Australia and internationally. He most recently spearheaded the transformation of the underwriting and claims management processes for HSBC in Hong Kong, resulting in improved customer experience and higher productivity. As a part of this regional role, he led a team of 40 underwriters, claims consultants, and operations staff across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai.

In April, MLC Life Insurance rolled out its new digital underwriting platform to help reduce the time it takes for advisers and customers to purchase life cover.

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