15 September 2026
Asteron Life has strengthened its technical and operational leadership capability with the appointment of three experienced insurance professionals across actuarial, underwriting and claims leadership roles.
The appointments support Asteron Life's continued growth strategy and commitment to delivering strong outcomes for customers, advisers and partners as the business prepares to become Acenda Life in 2027.
Experienced actuary joins executive team
Asteron Life has appointed Marco Welgemoed as its new Appointed Actuary, commencing 30 September. Marco joins from AIA New Zealand, where he has served as Appointed Actuary for the past seven years. He brings extensive actuarial leadership experience, having also held senior actuarial roles at Sovereign in New Zealand and with major insurers in South Africa.
Asteron Life Chief Executive Officer Grant Willis said the appointment reflected the importance of strong actuarial leadership as the business continues to grow.
"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.
Underwriting expertise to support growth ambitions
Asteron Life has also appointed Sian Johnson to the role of Principal Underwriter, Commercial and Affinity, commencing in September. Sian brings more than 25 years of experience in New Zealand's life insurance industry and combines deep clinical knowledge with extensive insurance expertise. Throughout her career, she has held senior underwriting leadership positions and developed significant capability in complex medical underwriting, risk assessment and product development.
Mr Willis said “Sian’s appointment supports Asteron Life’s ambition to expand adviser relationships, develop new affinity partnerships and explore new product opportunities.” Sian's technical expertise will strengthen underwriting capability while supporting future growth initiatives.
Claims leadership strengthened
In the claims function, Asteron Life has appointed Salesh Narayan as Claims Team Manager. Based in Auckland, Salesh joins from leadership roles at Fidelity Life and Chubb Life, where he led operational and claims teams and delivered service and performance improvements.
Mr Willis said Salesh's strong customer focus and leadership experience would further strengthen the organisation's claims capability.
"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.
Investing in capability for the future
The appointments come as Asteron Life continues to invest in specialist capability across key areas of the business.
Together, the appointments bring deep expertise in actuarial governance, underwriting excellence and claims leadership at a time when the life insurance sector is navigating significant change, increasing customer expectations and ongoing industry transformation.
Asteron Life
Asteron Life has supported New Zealanders since 1878, helping customers protect their families, their livelihoods and what matters most. 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 strength of Nippon Life. The transition is subject to regulatory approval.
About Acenda Life
Acenda Life helps customers and their families to live, save and retire with confidence. Owned by Nippon Life, one of the world’s leading life insurance companies, Acenda Life brings together the combined heritage of long-standing life insurance companies, including Acenda Life in Australia, 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 two million customers.