The AIA Australia Board is committed to ensuring our business is managed to deliver long-term shareholder value.
Our Board
Our Executive
Board of Directors
Peter Yates AM
Independent Non-Executive Director
FTSE FAICD BCom (Melb), Master of Science (MGT) (Stanford), Doctorate of the University (Murdoch)
Peter was appointed Chair of AIA Australia Limited in May 2021. He is also a Director of Linfox Australia Pty Ltd and Mutual Trust Pty Ltd. He is Chairman of the Royal Institution of Australia, the Australian Science Media Centre, the Faculty of Business and Economics at Melbourne University, the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Shared Value Project and the NHMRC Centre for Personalised Immunology at ANU and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology at UNSW.
From 2004-2007 Peter was Managing Director of Oceania Capital Partners and held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited from 2001-2004. Until 2001, he worked in the Investment Banking industry including 15 years with Macquarie Bank. He holds a Doctorate of the University from Murdoch University, a Masters degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a Commerce degree from University of Melbourne. He speaks Japanese, having studied at Keio University in Tokyo.
Until 30 June 2019, Peter was Deputy Chairman of The Myer Family Investments Ltd. He has been a Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Asialink, Publishing and Broadcasting, Crown Ltd, Foxtel Ltd, The Nine Network, Ninemsn, Ticketek, Veda Ltd, Oceania Capital Partners Ltd, the National Portrait Gallery, The Melbourne International Arts Festival, Centre for Independent Studies, MOKO.mobi and the Australia-Japan Foundation.
In the June 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Peter was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for service to education, to the financial services industry and to a range of arts, science and charitable organisations and in 2017 was made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). He has also recently been awarded the Australian Academy of Science Medal for 2019.
Geoff Austin
Independent Non-Executive Director
Geoff was appointed to the AIA Australia Ltd (AIA) Board as an independent director in November 2019, as well as to the Board Audit Committee and Board Risk & Compliance Committee.
Geoff has over 30 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry. His initial career included 15 years at MLC in a range of actuarial, product management and distribution management roles. His last role at MLC included responsibility for all of MLC’s distribution channels and activities, reporting to the Group CEO.
In 1999 Geoff spent 2 years at Tillinghast – Towers Perrin advising a range of financial services clients on strategy and distribution management initiatives.
From 2001 to 2006 Geoff joined the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
Geoff held various Executive General Manager (EGM) roles during his time at CBA including EGM Financial Planning and Advice Services, EGM Mortgage and Investments, EGM Lending Products and EGM Retail Products.
In 2007 Geoff provided strategic consulting to the CEO of ING Direct Australia, and has since pursued private business interests.
In July 2013, Geoff was appointed as an Independent Director of Commonwealth Insurance Ltd (CIL), as well as to the Audit Committee and Risk Committee of CIL. Geoff was appointed Chairman of the Board in July 2014.
Geoff also spent 7 years on the Board of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (“CMLA”); Geoff was a member of the Audit Committee and Risk Committee of CMLA and served as Chairman of the Board from 2014 - 2019.
Geoff holds a Bachelor of Economics (Actuarial Studies) from Macquarie University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Jane Harvey
Independent Non-Executive Director
B.Com (Melb), MBA (Melb), FCA, FAICD
Jane was appointed as an Independent Director of AIA Australia Ltd on 1 January 2022. She is responsible for chairing the Board Audit Committee, and is a member of both the Board Risk & Compliance Committee and the Board Remuneration Committee. Jane is currently an Independent Director of a number of subsidiaries of Insignia Financial Ltd, where she chairs Audit and Risk Committees, and is on the Board of the Marian & EH Flack Trust.
Jane has served on a number of Boards in the past, where she has held the position variously of Chair of Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committees. Past listed Boards include IOOF Holdings Ltd, DuluxGroup Ltd, UGL Ltd, David Jones Ltd and DUET Finance Ltd. Other prior Boards include BUPA Aust & Pac, Medibank Private Ltd, Colonial Foundation Ltd, Orygen Youth Mental Health, the Alfred Hospital, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Rural Finance Ltd, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Legal Services Board. Other positions have included as a Councillor for the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Vic) and a member of the ASIC Non Executive Advisory Panel. Prior to developing a portfolio of Board positions, Jane was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Elizabeth Flynn
Independent Non-Executive Director
Elizabeth Flynn was appointed as an independent Director of AIA Australia on 22 February 2011 and is a member of AIA Australia’s Board Audit, Risk & Compliance Committees and in August 2018 was appointed Chair of the Board Remuneration Committee. In addition to her role on the AIA Australia Board, Elizabeth is currently a non-executive Director of IOOF Holdings Limited and several IOOF subsidiaries and chair of IOOF’s Risk & Compliance Committee and a Victorian Government appointed member of the Emergency Services Superannuation Board and chair of its Governance, Risk & Compliance Committee. Elizabeth is also the Company Secretary of Save the Children Australia. In July 2018, AIA completed its acquisition of Sovereign Assurance Company Limited (Sovereign), and Elizabeth was appointed an Independent Director on Sovereign’s Board and Board Committees.
Elizabeth held several roles at Aviva Australia during the period 1998 - 2010, including Chief Legal Counsel, Group Company Secretary and Group Compliance Manager. She was appointed to the company’s Executive Team in 2004.
Prior to joining Aviva Australia, Elizabeth spent 18 years at Minter Ellison, one of the largest law firms in Australia, where she practiced as a commercial lawyer with special expertise in the areas of superannuation, securitisation and collective investments.
Elizabeth is a fellow of the AICD, FINSIA, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators and the Governance Institute of Australia.
Damien Mu
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Damien Mu is the CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia. Damien’s career at AIA Australia began in 2007, and he was appointed to the role of CEO in 2014. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian financial services industry, with management experience spanning life and health insurance, superannuation and investments. Over this time, Damien has also developed insight into the importance of wellbeing and is a strong advocate for positive physical and mental health.
In 2014 the company launched AIA Vitality, a world leading health and wellbeing program, to the Australian market. New Zealand was added to his responsibilities for the period of July 2016 to January 2022 and in July 2017, AIA and its partners launched AIA’s health insurance business, now known as AIA Health.
In September 2017, AIA announced the acquisition of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited and a strategic bancassurance arrangement with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, subject to regulatory approvals. In July 2018, AIA completed its acquisition of Sovereign Assurance Company Limited (now AIA New Zealand), and entered into a strategic bancassurance arrangement with ASB Bank, in New Zealand.
Damien is married to Simone and has two children, Bailey and Kai. He is passionate about inspiring people to be their best and leading a purpose led organisation that makes a difference and champions healthier, longer, better lives.
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. Damien has also previously been awarded Shared Value Champion at the Shared Value Awards and the AB+F Australian Insurance Executive of the Year. He holds a number of directorships including ANZIIF and he is also an Advisory Board member of the Shared Value Project.
Stuart A. Spencer
Director and Group Chief Marketing Officer
Stuart is a member of the Group Executive of AIA Group Ltd, responsible for the Group’s marketing initiatives, customer propositions and AIA Vitality. He is a director of various companies within the Group. Stuart re-joined AIA in May 2017 from Zurich Insurance Group, where he was most recently the interim CEO, Asia Pacific. Prior to that he was Chief Executive Officer, General Insurance, Asia Pacific for Zurich Insurance from 2013 to 2016. Stuart was with the American International Group from 1996 to 2009, during which time he held a number of senior positions including leading their Accident & Health General Insurance operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and President – Accident and Health Worldwide. Stuart was also the Global Head and COO, Worldwide Life, Accident & Health, for Chubb Insurance. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Brandeis University.
Leo Grepin
Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer
Leo is the Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Strategy Officer responsible for the Group’s businesses operating in Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia as well as leading the Group’s Strategy and Corporate Development functions. Leo is a member of the Group Executive Committee. He joined the Group in January 2022.
Prior to joining the Group, Leo was President of Asia for Sun Life. Before joining Sun Life, He was at Bridgewater Associates, a global hedge fund, where he led the team that managed portfolio construction and trade generation for all the funds. He also spent 15 years at McKinsey & Company and led the global client service teams serving several multinational insurers as Senior Partner. Leo has a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) from McGill University.
Our Executive Committee
Our Executive Committee is made up of industry-leading figures from a diverse variety of professional backgrounds, collectively equipping AIA Australia with the expertise and leadership qualities to drive sustainable growth of the business.
Damien Mu
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Damien Mu is the CEO and Managing Director of AIA Australia. Damien’s career at AIA Australia began in 2007, and he was appointed to the role of CEO in 2014. Damien has more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian financial services industry, with management experience spanning life and health insurance, superannuation and investments. Over this time, Damien has also developed insight into the importance of wellbeing and is a strong advocate for positive physical and mental health.
In 2014 the company launched AIA Vitality, a world leading health and wellbeing program, to the Australian market. New Zealand was added to his responsibilities for the period of July 2016 to January 2022 and in July 2017, AIA and its partners launched AIA’s health insurance business, now known as AIA Health.
In September 2017, AIA announced the acquisition of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited and a strategic bancassurance arrangement with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, subject to regulatory approvals. In July 2018, AIA completed its acquisition of Sovereign Assurance Company Limited (now AIA New Zealand), and entered into a strategic bancassurance arrangement with ASB Bank, in New Zealand.
Damien is married to Simone and has two children, Bailey and Kai. He is passionate about inspiring people to be their best and leading a purpose led organisation that makes a difference and champions healthier, longer, better lives.
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. Damien has also previously been awarded Shared Value Champion at the Shared Value Awards and the AB+F Australian Insurance Executive of the Year. He holds a number of directorships including ANZIIF and he is also an Advisory Board member of the Shared Value Project.
Susan Turner
Chief Financial Officer
Susan Turner is AIA Australia’s Chief Financial Officer, leading the Finance & Actuarial function, and bringing more than 20 years of experience in senior finance leadership roles within the banking, wealth, investment management and insurance industries.
Having started her career at Zurich, Susan has since worked in senior CFO and COO roles at complex and evolving organisations, including Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac. In her previous role as Executive Director, Central Operations at The University of Sydney, Susan led a team of over 480 people, overseeing the management of more than 600 contractors who deliver operational services across all campuses.
Susan has a proven track record of driving successful growth strategies to help businesses transform, and a passion for helping deliver exceptional experiences for customers, partners and people.
Sam Tremethick
Chief Partnership Distribution Officer
Sam has over 20 years’ experience in the life insurance sector, specialising in the retail distribution of life insurance, investment and superannuation products. He joined AIA Australia in August 2012, and has held various roles across Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
In he’s current role is responsible for the distribution of our retail insurance products through Financial Advisers and our Bancassurance partner. He also holds the responsibility for growing AIA Health in Australia.
Before rejoining the AIA Australia team in October 2022, Sam was the Chief Partnership Distribution Officer for AIA New Zealand, and prior to that he was Regional Head of High Net Wealth and IFA for AIA Group based in Hong Kong.
Sam holds a Bachelor of Business and a Masters of Business Administration, both from RMIT University in Melbourne.
Anna Livingston
Chief People & Culture Officer
Anna is AIA Australia’s Chief People & Culture Officer, with more than 20 years of experience championing people, inclusion and diversity, both in Australia and overseas.
Before joining AIA, Anna held the role of Chief Diversity and People Officer with Tennis Australia, with responsibility for 4,000 team members as well as driving the organisation's award-winning inclusion and diversity efforts. Previously, Anna refined her strategic human resource skills across automotive manufacturing, property development and FMCG industries, and achieved qualifications in HRM and Industrial Law.
Anna is passionate about creating a high-performance culture and an inclusive work environment where everyone feels safe to share views, ideas and be their authentic self.
Stephanie Phillips
Chief Shared Value and Marketing Officer
Stephanie Phillips is AIA Australia’s Chief Shared Value and Marketing Officer. Stephanie has more than 30 years’ experience in the Australian financial services industry spanning operations, claims, client relationship management, shared value and wellbeing.
Stephanie originally joined AIA Australia in October 2009 and was appointed Head of Group Insurance in early 2010, in this position she played an instrumental role in developing and growing the company’s Group Insurance business market share.
Stephanie later joined AIA’s regional head office in Hong Kong to take on the role of Director - Group Corporate Solutions, where she was responsible for supporting and developing AIA’s Group Insurance businesses across the Asia region. After returning to Australia, Stephanie was appointed AIA Australia’s Chief Group Insurance Officer - a role she held for six years.
In June 2021, Stephanie was appointed as Chief Shared Value and Marketing Officer in which she is responsible for further developing and shaping AIA’s shared value proposition.
Gerry Schipper
Chief Risk Officer
Gerry Schipper is currently the Chief Risk Officer for AIA Australia. He is responsible for Risk & Compliance.
Gerry is a qualified lawyer and a chartered accountant. He has more than 30 years’ experience in financial services.
Gerry joined AIA in August 2010 as Head of Group Internal Audit. He built a team of internal auditors to serve the needs of AIA as the largest Pan-Asian life company. In this role he was responsible for leading a team of around 160 internal auditors in the 18 countries where AIA has operations.
Gerry has worked extensively with the Risk & Compliance function of AIA Group in the upgrade of its operational risk framework, and the implementation of a group-wide automated risk and controls system.
Gerry joined Deloitte in South Africa in 1991, and in addition to South Africa and Hong Kong, has worked in Luxembourg and Australia. Before joining Deloitte, he lectured commercial law at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Sander Van Den Berg
Chief Technology Officer
Sander van den Berg is the Chief Technology Officer of AIA Australia. Sander joined the AIA Group in 2020 as Group Head of Data Platforms & Data Governance, where he managed the implementation of a Group-wide data governance and data quality program and initiated the Group AI strategy. During this time, he also acted as interim Chief Technology Officer for AIA Hong Kong.
Sander has over 20 years’ experience in insurance operations, technology transformations and outsourcing across the U.S., Europe and Asia. He began his career with IBM in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s before moving to London to join CGI in 1998, in his first global business management role. He later returned to the Netherlands, joining DXC to lead its Dutch Financial Services Business Unit, and subsequently became part of the global strategic insurance accounts team where he was responsible for the executive relationships with two global tier one insurers. In 2011, Sander moved to Hong Kong to assume responsibility for the Asian operations of the global strategic insurance accounts.
Several years with PwC and Deloitte followed, during which Sander advised international insurers on strategy, finance, distribution, operations and technology transformations. Prior to joining AIA, he was a Partner at Deloitte, leading its insurance technology practice.
Sander holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Kristy Redfern
General Counsel
Kristy Redfern is AIA Australia’s General Counsel and leads AIA’s award-winning legal team. Kristy has 19 years of experience in a variety of leadership, law, executive and governance roles. She is qualified to practice law in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and is a Chartered member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
Kristy has worked within the financial services sector, sport, insurance and energy sectors across Australasia, United Kingdom and the Middle East. Kristy has also served as a Director on the Boards of Hockey New Zealand and the Financial Services Council as well as being an Executive Director of AIA.
As a former international hockey player, Kristy is passionate about making a difference and helping people live healthy, active lives. Born and bred on a farm in New Zealand, Kristy is now based in Melbourne with her husband Fraser and their two children.
Marianne Hutchinson
Chief of Strategy, Innovation and Data
Marianne is responsible for developing and overseeing AIA Australia’s strategic priorities, supported by a mature data operating model and insights.
Marianne has more than 20 years’ experience leading high-performing consultancy teams and delivering transformational change within financial services across Australia, New Zealand and Europe, specifically within the insurance sectors.
Prior to joining AIA Australia, Marianne worked at Accenture for more than 10 years in program delivery, account management and practice lead roles, including the Insurance Go-to-Market Lead for Australia and New Zealand. This role involved working with a number of Accenture’s local and global insurance clients helping to deliver on innovative digital and growth strategies to enter new markets, digitise the customer experience and transform operations using new technology.
Anthony Clough
Chief Group Insurance Officer
Anthony was appointed as AIA Australia’s Chief Group Insurance Officer in 2023. Since joining AIA in 2014, he has held a number of roles across group insurance, including strategic partnerships, enterprise growth, and corporate distribution.
Anthony’s background is in product development, and he has a keen interest in ensuring the propositions of the future are more greatly aligned to partner and customers’ needs. Anthony is a sponsor of AIA’s work on sustainability and his ambition is to be a change agent for the industry to ensure greater engagement in insurance, better customer outcomes driven by digital enhancements, improved claims service and product development which provides long-term sustainable outcomes, while meeting customers’ needs.
Anthony holds an honours degree in Economics from The University of Northumberland.