Asteron Life has appointed senior specialists across underwriting, actuarial and claims as it looks to expand adviser relationships, build its affinity business and develop new products ahead of its transition to Acenda Life.
Sian Johnson will join as principal underwriter, commercial and affinity in September, bringing more than 25 years of experience in New Zealand life insurance. She has held senior underwriting leadership positions and worked across complex medical underwriting, risk assessment and product development.
“Sian’s appointment supports Asteron Life’s ambition to expand adviser relationships, develop new affinity partnerships and explore new product opportunities,” Asteron Life chief executive Grant Willis said.
The remit builds on activity already under way in Asteron’s partnership business. In April, AA Life expanded its living insurance range, adding income protection, serious illness and serious injury products developed with Asteron Life and sold directly under the AA Life brand.
The appointment therefore adds senior underwriting capacity across an area where Asteron is already extending its product and distribution reach, while maintaining its established adviser channel.
It also comes ahead of a substantial change in the scale of the business. Asteron Life and Resolution Life New Zealand are due to be brought together under the Acenda Life brand from 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
Fitch has projected that the combined Acenda business would become New Zealand’s second-largest life insurer by in-force premiums and the largest by assets under management. Its assets are expected to rise to about NZ$5.6 billion, from NZ$600 million at Asteron at the end of 2025.
The expansion in product capability also comes as the Financial Markets Authority puts greater attention on how insurers develop and administer new offerings. The regulator has made product design for new and redesigned insurance products one of its priorities for 2026/27, with a particular focus on whether firms’ systems and processes can reliably deliver what products promise.
Alongside the underwriting appointment, Asteron has named Marco Welgemoed as appointed actuary, effective September 30. He joins from AIA New Zealand, where he has served as appointed actuary for the past seven years. He has also previously held senior actuarial roles at Sovereign in New Zealand and insurers in South Africa.
"Marco brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Asteron Life and will play a critical role in supporting our future growth and strategic priorities," Willis said.
Asteron has also appointed Salesh Narayan as claims team manager in Auckland. Narayan joins after leadership roles at Fidelity Life and Chubb Life, where he managed operational and claims teams.
"Salesh has a genuine passion for customer outcomes and customer centricity. We are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to the contribution he will make to our wider claims whānau," Willis said.
The transition follows Resolution Life Australasia’s NZ$410 million acquisition of Asteron Life from Suncorp Group in February 2025. Asteron has said there are no immediate changes to existing policies, cover, benefits, premiums or claims rights as preparations for Acenda continue.
