27 August 2026
Newly appointed Chair of the Asteron Life New Zealand Board, Barbara Chapman, today announced the appointments of Simon Tyler, Keith Taylor, Anne Blackburn and Rachel Walsh as non-executive directors on the Asteron Life New Zealand Board, effective from September 2026.
The appointments support Acenda Group’s proposal to bring Asteron Life and Resolution Life New Zealand together under a single Life Insurance company, subject to regulatory approval.
Together, the Directors bring extensive experience in governance, life insurance, banking, investments and risk management, along with experience in other large, highly regulated industries.
Ms Chapman said the Board appointments reflect the scale, significance and future ambition of the business that intends to operate as Acenda Life New Zealand from 2027.
“Simon, Keith, Anne and Rachel bring extensive governance and leadership expertise from across banking, financial services and other relevant industries,” said Ms Chapman.
“We have assembled a highly capable Board, with the skills, perspectives and experience needed to guide our business through this important transition, and support our customers, people and partners as we prepare to operate under a single brand.” said Ms Chapman.
In due course, Directors Julia Raue, Alison O’Connell, Michael Schubert and Karen Scheirlinck will retire from their roles on the Asteron Life, New Zealand Policyholder Advisory Committee and Resolution Life New Zealand Boards respectively, as part of planned Governance consolidation.
“On behalf of the Asteron Life New Zealand business, I thank Julia for the important role she has played in leading the people-first strategy that underpinned Asteron Life’s successful separation from Suncorp.
“Alison, Karen and Michael provided invaluable stewardship for the Resolution Life business through periods of change and transformation, helping to establish the foundations for our future organisation.
“On behalf of Asteron Life New Zealand and the Acenda Group, I thank them for their service and wish them every success as they continue their governance careers.”
Biographies of the new Asteron Life New Zealand Board members:
| Barbara Chapman | Current roles include Bank of New Zealand Independent Director, Genesis Energy Chairperson, New Zealand Initiative Deputy Chair and THL Independent Non-Executive Director (NED). Past roles include NZME Chair, ASB CEO, Sovereign CEO, CBA executive and Fletcher Building Independent Director. |
| Simon Tyler | Current roles include Chair of Asteron Life New Zealand and Director and Chair of the Bank Audit Committee at Heartland Bank, Director at NZ Bio Forestry, SFS Limited, and the FISO Investment Group Past roles include former CE of Government Superannuation Fund Authority and the National Provident Fund; former Head of Financial Markets Department at RBNZ; Head of Treasury at National Bank of New Zealand. |
| Keith Taylor | Current roles include NED of Asteron Life and Southern Cross Hospitals, Chairman of Butland Management Services. Past roles include Director of AMP Life Ltd; Group Managing Director of Tower; Deputy Chairman of RBNZ; Chairman of Government Superannuation Fund Authority, Deputy Chairman of the Earthquake Commission. |
| Anne Blackburn | Current roles include Chair of Resolution Life New Zealand, Government Superannuation Fund Authority, Trust Investments Management and the Matatuhi Foundation, and director/trustee roles across investment, funds, arts, and property-related entities. Past Board roles include Director of Fisher Funds Management, TSB Bank, Fidelity Life, Meridian Energy, TVNZ, and others. |
| Rachel Walsh | Current roles include NED of Asteron Life New Zealand, Chair of PARC at CA ANZ, IAG Director, NZX Director and Chair of Clearing Committee, External Reporting Advisory Panel Advisor, and Datacom Founding Trustee. Past roles include Datacom Group CFO, Abano Healthcare CFO and PwC audit director. |
About Acenda Life
At Acenda Life, we help our customers and their families to live, save and retire with confidence. Backed by the global strength of Nippon Life, the business brings together the combined heritage of long-standing life insurance companies, including Acenda Life, Resolution Life Australasia and Asteron Life in New Zealand. The Acenda Group is one of the leading life insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand, with over 2 million customers. For more information visit www.acenda.com.au/acenda-group
Nippon Life is one of the world’s leading life insurance companies and the largest private asset owner in Japan. Founded in 1889, Nippon Life operates multiple life insurance and asset management businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Nippon Life has over 170,000 employees, 15 million customers, and over ¥96,000 billion in total assets. For more information visit www.nissay.co.jp/global
About Asteron Life
Asteron Life have been helping New Zealanders build bright futures and protect what matters most for almost 150 years. From 2027, Asteron Life and Resolution Life New Zealand are coming together under a single brand, Acenda Life, building on this legacy with greater scale, deep expertise and the backing of Nippon Life.
Asteron Life provides a range of life, trauma, income protection, total and permanent disability, and business insurance cover to the in New Zealand market. Its products are predominantly retail, sold through financial advisers as well as direct and via group business agreements/partnerships. Asteron Life has won the ANZIIF Life Insurance Company of the Year award five times for its demonstrated high level of care for its customers, community and people.
Media enquiries:
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Laurna White
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