PPS Mutual has appointed Voula Makris as senior business development manager for Victoria, adding to its adviser-facing team as life insurers compete for relationships with a relatively small pool of specialist risk advisers.
The appointment comes as specialist life insurance advice remains concentrated among a comparatively small number of practices. The Council of Australian Life Insurers said in its 2026 pre-Budget submission that fewer than 600 financial advisers focus on life insurance within their businesses, including 185 “pure risk” advisers.
That puts greater weight on insurer relationships with advisers, particularly the technical and practice support offered alongside products.
Makris will work with PPS Mutual’s accredited adviser network across Victoria, with responsibility for supporting risk insurance capability, practice development and growth among advisers serving professional clients. She will report to Shadia Kouzma, state manager for Victoria.
“Advisers need business development partners who can help them address the practical, technical and commercial challenges they encounter every day. Voula brings extensive market knowledge, deep relationships across the advice channel and a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach to supporting advisers and helping them strengthen their businesses and deliver better client outcomes,” Kouzma said.
Makris brings more than three decades of financial services experience spanning business development, adviser relationships, distribution and client service.
She joins PPS Mutual from Acenda, where she served as business development manager. She previously held senior distribution roles at iExtend and Integrity Life, following almost 12 years as a business development manager at CommInsure. Earlier in her career, she worked at Colonial First State and AMP.
Her appointment continues PPS Mutual’s recent investment in state-based distribution. The insurer added business development managers in Victoria and Western Australia in 2025 as it sought to expand relationships across its accredited adviser network.
“Business development is often discussed in terms of growth, but for me it starts with being useful to advisers. That means understanding how their practice operates, getting across the technical detail and being a reliable partner as they support their clients and grow their business. Ultimately, there is a client behind every policy. The better the support we give advisers, the better placed they are to recommend protection that reflects each client’s circumstances,” Makris said.
PPS Mutual provides life insurance to professionals through a network of accredited advisers and has operated in Australia since 2016. The insurer also runs its Risk Practice of the Year Awards, which recognise specialist life insurance practices and share operational insights across the sector.
Makris has previously received the Money Management BDM of the Year award for Victoria and Tasmania.
