MetLife chair retires: Successor named

MetLife Australia has announced that its chair is stepping down after serving on the board for 13 years.

Geoff Brunsdon - who was last month appointed chair of the $106 billion Queensland Investment Corporation - will be replaced by independent director Nicola Wakefield-Evans.

During his tenure, Brunsdon - who joined the QIC board last year - steered MetLife through the launch of its retail business, the pandemic and a digital and operational transformation program aimed at bolstering growth.

"Geoff has been an integral part of the MetLife business for more than a decade, and his contribution to our business has been significant over that time. I thank him for his dedication and service," MetLife chief executive Richard Nunn said.

The life insurer said the incoming chair is an experienced non-executive director who sits on the boards of several ASX-listed companies, government agencies and funds.

These include the Future Fund, Viva Energy Australia, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and LendLease.

Wakefield-Evans worked as an M&A and equity capital markets lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons for 28 years and has extensive governance experience.

"MetLife is at a turning point as we transform our business, leveraging technology to help us deliver a better customer experience and manage operational risk, Nunn added.

"As we do this, we will benefit from Nicola's extensive governance experience."

Last month, MetLife announced that former CareSuper chief Julie Lander had joined the board as a non-executive director.

Lander ran CareSuper for two decades and concurrently held directorships at the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, Fund Executives Association Limited and the Business Council of Co-operatives & Mutuals.

She is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, was a 40-year member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In 2022, Lander won FEAL's Executive of the Year award.