Spotlight on Insurance

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.

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.

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.

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.