Spotlight on Insurance

Andrew Beevors
Group Chief Claims Officer, Acenda

Andrew has been leading Acendaʼs claims proposition over the last 5 years and has over 25 yearsʼ experience leading personal injury functions, both locally and internationally. He has a proven track record for driving transformation and empowering the adoption of best practices. Before joining Acenda, Andrew oversaw the re-imagining of QBEʼs general insurance claims offering, delivering market-leading customer experiences.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) from the University of Sydney, an MBA (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and has completed an AICD “Not for Profit” Director Course.

Ian Beckett
General Manager, Policy, APRA

Ross Clare
Head of Research, ASFA

In this role Ross has been responsible for preparation of research papers across a range of superannuation and retirement income issues, including adequacy of retirement income
and the structure of the Australian retirement income system. He is responsible, amongst other things, for the development and maintenance of the ASFA Retirement Standard, which is now very commonly used. Prior to joining the staff of ASFA he held senior positions with the Australian Treasury and an Australian Government research agency, the Economic Planning Advisory Commission. Ross has degrees in Economics and Law from the Australian National University.

Christine Cupitt
Chief Executive Officer, CALI

Christine Cupitt is a widely respected and credible leader with a passion for ensuring fair, high-quality outcomes for consumers across the financial services sector. She is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Australian Life Insurers and has 20 years’ experience working in legal, strategic and public policy roles.

Christine is the former Chief of Policy and Strategy at the Australian Banking Association (ABA) where she led the industry’s response and submissions to the banking Royal Commission. She was instrumental in subsequent changes to the Banking Code of Practice and provided considered industry guidance that helped shape the banking sector of today. She also led the banking industry’s policy response and regulatory program for COVID 19 as well as the development of the ABA’s climate change and net zero transition program.

She also worked at AMP from 2007 to 2013 across product and financial advice, including three years with Hillross Financial Services.

Christine is a co-founder of the debt relief charity, Way Forward Debt Solutions, and a Vincent Fairfax Fellow.

Gary Dransfield
Chair, ASFA

Gary Dransfield was appointed Chair of the ASFA Board of Directors in February 2022.

Gary is currently a non-executive director of Hollard Insurance and of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). He was formerly the Chief Executive of Insurance Australia for the Suncorp Group, has been both board member and Chair of the Insurance Council of Australia and the Insurance Council of New Zealand, and held numerous other board directorships. He has also held executive roles with IAG, Lend Lease, and AMP.

Meray El-Khoury
Chief Insurance Officer, MetLife Australia

Meray El-Khoury is the Chief Insurance Officer of MetLife, responsible for the superannuation client partnershps, as well as developing all of MetLife's product and pricing strategies in the Australian market. Meray is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, with a Bachelor of Commerce (Actuarial Studies) degree. Her career spans over 20 years in the insurance, superannuation and wealth management industries, most recently performing roles at MetLife including Chief Retail Insurance Officer and Head of Retail Distribution. Prior to joining MetLife in 2019, Meray held various roles across the Superannuation industry, with highlights including Head of Corporate and Institutional Distribution at a major industry fund, as well as roles in group insurance, finance and financial planning. With a strong passion for developing customer-led product solutions, Meray aims to deliver meaningful propositions to customers that are valued over their lifetime.

Surath Fernando
Head of Group Insurance Solutions, WTW

Surath is a Director in WTW’s Retirement practice in Melbourne and Head of Group Insurance Solutions.

Surath is a Melbourne based actuary with over 18 years’ experience in the superannuation industry working with large corporate, industry, multi-employer and public sector superannuation funds and employers. He has also been involved in broader actuarial roles like asset liability studies, risk management and superannuation accounting.

Surath leads WTW’s Group Insurance Solutions team in Australia and has worked on some of the largest group insurance tenders in the Australian market and is well versed on conducting product reviews, pricing reviews, market tenders, and broader insurance servicing reviews for large government and industry superannuation funds.

Surath is heavily involved in research and thought leadership publications.

Surath holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with Honours in Actuarial Studies) from The University of Melbourne, is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and is a member of the Actuaries Institute’s Insurance in Superannuation Committee.

Dr Natalie Flatt Ph.D
Chief Mental Helath and Innovation Officer, SuperFriend

Dr Natalie Flatt leads Superfriend’s product innovation and clinical strategy, translating leading research into data-driven, industry-specific solutions across the five-domain framework to strengthen workplace mental health and performance. She also drives the organisation’s technology innovation, including Orion, enabling scalable, insight-led action.
Known for bridging science and practice, Natalie champions a data-informed ‘how-to’ approach that drives behaviour change and sustainable cultural transformation. Through thought leadership, strategic partnerships and product innovation, she continues to shape the national conversation on thriving, mentally healthy workplaces.

Heather Gray
Lead Ombudsman Superannuation, AFCA

Heather is the Lead Ombudsman – Superannuation at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) where she leads a team of Ombudsmen and Adjudicators in determining a wide range of superannuation complaints.
Prior to joining AFCA in 2020, Heather had more than 30 years’ experience in private practice as a superannuation lawyer.

Heather has a strong interest in superannuation law and policy and has consulted widely to Treasury, ASIC, APRA and the ATO on draft legislation and other instruments, and on the development of policy. She was for many years a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Superannuation Committee, including a term as its Chair, and is Co-Chair of the ATO’s Superannuation Industry Stewardship Group. She is a frequent speaker at superannuation conferences and events.

Damian Hill
Chief Executive Officer, CSC

Damian Hill is the Chief Executive Officer of CSC. CSC is the trustee and administrator of 11 schemes dedicated to providing benefits to current and former members of the Australian Public Service and Australian Defence Forces. CSC has over 700,000 members, over $200 b in benefit liabilities and over $70b in assets. It comprises both DB and DC schemes. It has over 200,000 pensioners, paying around $400 million a fortnight in pensions.

Prior to CSC, Damian was CEO at REST Industry Super for over 11 years, after joining REST in 1999 as Administration Manager. Damian has over 30 years’ experience across superannuation and life insurance industries. During his time at REST, it was acknowledged as one of the best performing funds in the industry delivering competitive long-term returns for members. SuperRatings awarded REST Pension of the Year 2015, the second year in a row REST had won this award. REST also received Money magazine’s 2015 and 2014 Best of the Best award for Best Super Fund Manager and Best Pension Fund Manager. Chant West Winner Innovation Best Fund 2017 and Heron awarded REST a 5 quality star rating for 2017*.

Damian is passionate about improving member mental health and wellbeing; having served 11 years as the inaugural Chairman of Superfriend, a mental health foundation established by industry super funds.

Matt Howell
Member Engagement Lead, Zurich

Matt is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in financial services technology. He has led Platform, Digital Product, and Technology Delivery initiatives, including Group Insurance Digital propositions and Claims Digital strategies. Matt has built new businesses, transformed existing ones, and is passionate about the benefits of digital and agile delivery for businesses, customers, and employees.

James Koval
Chief Policy & Advocacy Officer, ASFA

James joined the ASFA team in 2024 to lead policy, research and advocacy. James brings over a decade of public policy experience working for government, peak-body organisations, and other key policy and strategic roles. ASFA is the peak policy, research and advocacy body for Australia’s superannuation sector, and the role of James’ team is to advocate for efficiency, sustainability and trust in Australia’s world-class retirement income system and to ensure all Australians are able to enjoy a dignified retirement. Prior to joining ASFA, James has worked as a government engagement specialist in the Vice-Chancellor’s office at the University of Sydney and prior to that worked in various roles across government, including formtreasurers, government leaders, and senior cabinet ministers. James holds qualifications from the Australian National University and has undertaken further learning with the London School of Economics and the University of Sydney.

Jorden Lam
Head of Member Service Performance, HESTA

Jorden Lam is the Head of Member Service Performance at HESTA Super and brings her perspectives through her wide ranging leadership experience in the financial services and health industries. Having served on the boards as a non-executive director for various health service providers, and previously been the General Counsel & Company Secretary at HESTA, she has depth of expertise across operations, legal, risk, governance and strategy development and execution. Jorden regularly speaks about and is a passionate advocate for uplifting leadership capabilities for aspiring new leaders. She has received numerous public accolades for her achievements and contributions to the financial services and legal industries to date.

Pippa Lane
Senior Executive Leader, Superannuation and Life Insurance, ASIC

Pippa leads ASIC’s Superannuation and Life Insurance team within ASIC’s Regulation and Supervision group. She oversees ASIC’s regulatory work associated with the life insurance and superannuation industries.

Prior to joining ASIC, Pippa held senior roles in policy and supervision at the UK Financial Conduct Authority across life insurance, pensions and mortgages.
Pippa led financial services policy at Citizens Advice, the UK’s national debt advice charity after starting her career in government research. She holds a PhD in politics and history.

Alida Macalister
Senior Manager, Insurance Solutions, UniSuper

Alida joined UniSuper three years ago and is responsible for the insurance product offering. She leads a cross functional team delivering product enhancements, digitised member experiences and operational efficiency.

Alida has a strong focus on creating customer value and is known for delivering strategic innovation. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in product management in across the financial services sector. Prior to joining UniSuper, Alida held senior leadership roles including Head of Product at Plum Financial Services and Head of Global Payments at NAB.

Damien Mu
Chief Executive Officer, AIA Australia

Damien Mu is the CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia, and AIA Health Insurance.

Damien has more than 25 years’ experience in the Australian financial services industry, with management experience spanning life and health insurance, superannuation and investments. Damien’s career at AIA Australia began in 2007, and he was appointed to the role of CEO in 2014. From July 2016 to January 2022, Damien was also CEO of AIA New Zealand.

In 2021, Damien was awarded Insurance Leader of the year at the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) Insurance Industry Awards. Following this, and under his leadership, AIA Australia was also awarded Life Insurance Company of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by ANZIIF.

He is passionate about inspiring people to be their best and leading a purpose led organisation that makes a difference in people’s lives. Damien is a firm advocate for further government investment in prevention focused interventions that will improve mental health, and in 2024, was announced as an Ambassador for Australians for Mental Health.

Damien is the Co-Chair of the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI). He is a regular participant in industry forums and roundtables, using his voice to drive positive change that will help safeguard the financial futures of Australians.

Vasyl Nair
Group Chief Executive Officer, Team Super

The Team Superannuation Fund (Team Super) is a profit to members, public offer pension fund dedicated to serving the retirement needs of all Australians. Team Super manages over $22 billion in funds for approximately 150,000 members. Vasyl Nair is the Chief Executive Officer of Team Super (prior to this, Vasyl held the roles of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Strategy Officer). Vasyl is a keen advocate for the ongoing development of the superannuation sector, with active participation in a number of different parts of the
industry. He has served as a director of an Australian fintech organisation, specialising in superannuation and investment administration. Vasyl was appointed to the Board of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) as Director in January 2025, the peak pension fund association in Australia.

Vasyl has a strong background in law, corporate finance and strategy, having held senior roles across at some of Australia’s largest financial services institutions. Vasyl holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hon), Bachelor of Commerce, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and an Executive Master of Business Administration. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a solicitor, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has achieved a Certificate of Business Excellence from the Haas School of Business, U.C. Berkeley.

Matt Noyce
Founder, MNC Actuaries

Matt Noyce is the founder of MNC Actuaries and leads a diverse team of 20 experienced actuaries and data scientists delivering AI-driven actuarial and advisory solutions across Australia's insurance, reinsurance and superannuation markets.

Before founding MNC Actuaries 7 years ago, Matt held senior leadership roles, including Chief Pricing Actuary and a member of the Australian Leadership Team for Swiss Re and Chief Pricing Officer at CommInsure, overseeing the pricing of its Life and General Insurance products.

At MNC, Matt's focus is on automating the repetitive so that people can focus on the consequential - the decisions and relationships where human expertise creates the most value for clients.

Anita Owen
Executive General Manager, Professional Services, Novigi

Anita brings nearly two decades of experience leading and delivering transformative projects within the financial services sector. She is a dynamic leader who has driven many strategic improvements and led significant transformations across a range of complex organisations.

Throughout her career, Anita has held a range of senior leadership positions, including Transformation Delivery Director at a Big Four consultancy, where she supported organisations to execute key strategic initiatives. She has also held senior roles at a leading life insurer, leading highly impactful cost‑reduction initiatives.

Anita now leads the strategic management of Novigi’s professional services capability, supporting a team of over 150 professionals and overseeing complex, large‑scale programs of work across the sector. Her focus is on delivering high‑impact data and technology‑led initiatives that support clients’ most critical business outcomes.

Dr Charles Phillis
Psychiatrist

B.BioMed.Sci, M.B,B.S, ClinCertOccMed, AICG Certificate in Clinical Governance, MRO (AMROA), ACCAM, AFCHSM CHM, DAME, CHIA, AFRACMA, AICGG, FAAQHC, Harvard Medical School Graduate (Leading Digital Transformation), Certified Impairment Rater (CIR) AMA 5th (IAIME), CertPI4 AMA 4th, AICD CDC, MAICD

Dr Phillis is an experienced Occupational Medical Practitioner, Certified Health Manager, Certified Impairment Rater and Health Leader. Dr Phillis was raised and schooled in Adelaide before relocating to the Gold Coast, where he studied and completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science, before being accepted into an inaugural Medical School cohort, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. Since then, Dr Phillis has become a multi-skilled physician, completing further advanced studies in Health Management, Health Leadership, Occupational Medicine, Disability Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Clinical Governance, Health Informatics, Alcohol and Other Drug Testing Interpretation, and Medicolegal Practice - including Permanent Impairment and Military Compensation.
Dr Phillis is a Lecturer at Griffith University Medical School and has attained peer reviewed publications and presented at international and local conferences and meetings. Dr Phillis is a Fellow of the Australian Association for Quality in Health Care, Associate Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, Associate Fellow and Certified Health Manager of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Clinical Governance, a Medical Review Officer for the interpretation of Drug & Alcohol Testing, CASA Designated Aviation Medical Examiner, OEUK Offshore Medical Examiner, IAIME Certified Impairment Rater AMA 5th and IMEC AMA 4th Permanent Impairment Rater, Certified Health Informatician Australasia, and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, completing the Company Directors Course.

Dr Phillis is an experienced Chief Medical Advisor, having consulted to large Insurance and Corporate organisations, and continues to provide advisory services, alongside his role as a Consultant Chief Medical Officer and practicing clinician, whilst remaining a Director of his own medical consultancy and strategy firm.

Dr Phillis brings a clinical lens to the discussion, exploring uncertainty, episodic conditions and the challenges of translating psychiatric assessment into insurance decision-making.

Tristan Reis-Freeman
Chief Strategy Officer, Team Super

Tristan is a strategy and product leader in the Australian superannuation and financial service sector with deep experience in building growth strategies, modernising business models and leading cross-functional teams though complex regulatory and market change.

He has held senior roles spanning product, strategy, and transformation, partnering closely with boards and executive teams to drive performance across member outcomes, risk and delivery.

He holds an MBA from MGSM and is a GAICD.

Dan Taylor
General Manager, Group Partnerships, TAL

Dan leads TAL’s partnerships with many of Australia’s leading super funds to provide insurance cover for around 4 million members. He is passionate about building long-term partnerships with funds to drive growth, service excellence and great member outcomes, as well as advocating for a valuable and sustainable future for insurance in super.

In his decade with TAL, Dan has worked across member engagement, underwriting operations, innovation and digital transformation initiatives. Previously, he spent over 15 years leading innovation and new ventures across multiple sectors, including establishing an innovation consultancy in New York and driving digital innovation at British Gas and Tesco in London. Dan is the author of The Secrets of Big Business Innovation.

Prof Jason Thompson
Professor of Mental Health Systems Reform, The University of Melbourne

Jason Thompson is a previous Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Award (DECRA) Fellow and current ARC Future Fellow. In July of 2025, he was appointed as the inaugural Professor of Mental Health System Reform at the University of Melbourne. Prof Thompson focuses on the translation of research into practice across the areas of complex social policy, including health, disability and injury compensation systems. Among other roles, he is a Chief Investigator on multiple NHMRC and ARC projects focused on health and social systems modelling and the experience of people moving through large-scale health and social insurance systems. He has expertise in data analytics and computational social science related to the design and delivery of disability, health and human services where he spent close to 20 years prior to his academic career. In the past decade, he has published more than 140 research papers and Government reports related to the analysis of social, and healthcare systems.

Daniel Walton
Group Executive - Strategy & Growth, EML Group

With over a decade of experience in executive leadership, Dan has demonstrated expertise in guiding teams, formulating strategic initiatives, and instigating transformative change.

Dan is the former National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, with extensive experience across workplace relations, manufacturing and the minerals and energy sectors. His comprehensive knowledge extends to the superannuation industry, encompassing its history, culture, structure, and forthcoming challenges.

He is currently the Chair of The McKell Institute, a Director of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Snowy Hydro Limited. Dan previously held director positions at AustralianSuper and Chifley Financial Services, in addition to a variety of government board positions including Chair of the NSW Renewable Energy Sector Board and advising Federal and State governments on trade, resources, climate, energy and industry sectors.

Darren Williams
Head of Product, UniSuper

Darren leads UniSuper’s Product function, working with a talented team of product professionals who seek to maintain and enhance UniSuper’s compelling member offer across accumulation (including defined benefit), retirement, insurance, and the investment menu. He also has responsibility for key relationships such as research houses, the Fund Actuary, group insurers, and all elements of product governance.

With more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, Darren brings deep, end to end expertise across the wealth management value chain. Together with his team, Darren utilises this experience when coordinating the Fund’s retirement income strategy, including how insurance in super supports members in retirement when their working life has been interrupted by a health event.

Sarah Yu
Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

Sarah Yu specialises in financial services with a focus on superannuation and life insurance.

With over 25 years' experience, Sarah has assisted major banks and wealth management institutions, life insurers, retail, industry and corporate superannuation funds navigate complex financial services' regulatory issues.

Sarah has been named 'Lawyer of the Year' in the Best Lawyers in Austral ia 2026 edition.