AMP has announced key leadership appointments for its two newly created business divisions – Insurance and Superannuation, and Advice and Banking effective 20 January 2014.
The appointments come after AMP CEO Craig Meller announced his leadership team in October and are the next step in creating a leaner, more efficient and increasingly customer-driven organisation.
AMP Group Executive Pauline Blight-Johnston of the newly created Insurance and Superannuation division has made three appointments to her leadership team. The division is responsible for the company’s risk insurance, superannuation, investment, pensions and platforms business portfolios.
Megan Beer has been appointed Director, Insurance and will join AMP from NAB in February 2014.
Ms Beer has over 20 years’ experience in the actuarial and insurance industry. Prior to AMP she headed up NAB’s wealth management and insurance proposition through the bank channel, as General Manager Bancassurance and Direct.
Ms Beer will be responsible for driving AMP’s insurance business through a time of change for the industry, and bringing together services from across AMP to provide a sustainable and attractive customer insurance experience.
Patricia Montague has been appointed Director of Superannuation with responsibility for superannuation, retirement and platform investment products. Ms Montague joined AMP in August 2013 as Director Wealth Management Products.
Ms Montague joined AMP from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia where she was the General Manager of Retail Customers and Transformation.
Melinda Howes has been appointed Director Product Strategy and Services with responsibility for portfolio strategy and shared technical services across the Insurance and Superannuation business.
Ms Howes joined AMP in November 2013 from the Actuaries Institute, where she was CEO for more than three years. She has held senior positions at ASFA, and at BT Financial Group where she was Director of Superannuation and Retirement Products. She is well known in the industry for her expertise in issues around retirement, longevity and superannuation adequacy.
Ms Blight-Johnston said the appointments put AMP in a strong position to deliver a great experience to its customers in the rapidly changing insurance and superannuation environment.
“This is a strong team with the depth and breadth of experience we need to sustainably deliver the right solutions to our customers and to continue to remain contemporary and successful in a quickly changing world,” Ms Blight-Johnston said.
The AMP Advice and Banking division led by Group Executive Rob Caprioli is responsible for AMP’s advice, banking and corporate superannuation business portfolios; effectively bringing together the key channels through which customers come to AMP.
Mr Caprioli has made the following appointments to his team:
Steve Helmich takes on the role of Executive Director Financial Planning. AMP will leverage Mr Helmich’s extensive experience and understanding of the financial advice profession within its multiple advice brands and with external audiences. Mr Helmich will also represent AMP locally and internationally on key boards and forums.
The management of AMP’s advice businesses’ five licensees will be streamlined under three management teams.
Michael Guggenheimer, currently Managing Director of AMP’s biggest licensee, AMP Financial Planning (AMPFP) will have additional responsibility for Hillross. Tim Steele as Managing Director of ipac and Genesys will take on additional responsibility for Genesys, while Kevin Stone will continue as Managing Director of Charter Financial Planning.
Hugh Humphrey has been appointed Director Channel Strategy and Transformation and will be responsible for aligning business strategies with customer expectations across AMP’s channels. Mr Humphrey was previously Managing Director of Hillross.
Libby Roy and Mike Lawrence remain in their respective roles as Director Corporate Superannuation and Managing Director AMP Bank.
Mr Caprioli said the new division’s structure means that AMP has, for the first time, a single leadership team responsible for the primary ways customers join AMP.
“The significant depth of talent and experience in my team means we can deliver a seamless, effortless and personalised experience for our customers, no matter how they choose to begin a relationship with us. We will work closely with the rest of the business to deliver the products and services our customers want,” Mr Caprioli said.
