AIA has bolstered its management team with the announcement of six key appointments
across the business including a new Head of Distribution, and five new senior
managers in the Distribution, IT and Operations areas.
James
DeLong has been appointed to the pivotal position of Head of Distribution
- this position is responsible for leading and growing AIA's distribution strategies.
James was more recently Assistant Vice President of Distribution for AIA based
in Hong Kong. He was responsible for countries as diverse as India and Indonesia.
James's career began in the USA where he was a tied adviser, broker and investment
consultant in the Washington DC area. He then entered into management with Allstate
Insurance Company leading regional brokerage sales encompassing risk, investment
and fire and general product
ranges.
National Sales Manager Adviser Channel is a new position filled by Jeremy
Young. Jeremy was previously a Business Development Manager with Sovereign
where he excelled in developing strategic planning and relationship management
strategies with advisers. Jeremy commenced his insurance career at Summit Financial
Group where he was an adviser for three years. Jeremy will be responsible for
leading the development of the adviser distribution channel; he commences this
position mid July. Jeremy will report to James DeLong.
Michelle Keech takes up the newly created position of National
Accounts and Senior Regional Manager. Michelle was recently with Tower Health
and Life, where she was rapidly promoted to National Manager - Account Managers.
Prior to this Michelle was based in Dubai and over a period of four years worked
in a number of key management positions including Sales Manager - Middle East
Region for Royal & Sun Alliance International Financial Services. Michelle
will report to Jeremy Young.
With the ever-increasing sophistication of the IT sector, AIA is delighted
to announce the appointment of Deane Johns as the new Head
of IT. Deane has considerable experience as a senior manager, most recently
as Corporate IT Manager for Siemens. This experience is also complimented with
14 years of insurance based application experience. Commenting on this new appointment
AIA CEO Nicholas Scarlett said, "Deane will lead and continue to develop
AIA's technology base to best meet our business objectives and better satisfy
the needs of our key clients."
AIA's desire to further strengthen its Operations department sees two key senior
appointments, Irene Diaz as Chief Underwriter and Carol
Vazey as Claims Manager. Irene has immense underwriting experience
in both South Africa and New Zealand, most notably with Sage Life and Liberty
Life in South Africa who she worked with for over 14 years. Carol was previously
Claims Manager with Sovereign and has a background in the Health sector as a
Registered Nurse and Independent Midwife. "Both of these senior appointments
reinforce AIA's committment to excel in service," said AIA CEO Nicholas
Scarlett.
James
DeLong has been appointed to the pivotal position of Head of Distribution
- this position is responsible for leading and growing AIA's distribution strategies.
James was more recently Assistant Vice President of Distribution for AIA based
in Hong Kong. He was responsible for countries as diverse as India and Indonesia.
James's career began in the USA where he was a tied adviser, broker and investment
consultant in the Washington DC area. He then entered into management with Allstate
Insurance Company leading regional brokerage sales encompassing risk, investment
and fire and general 
product
ranges. 