PPS Mutual expands Queensland team

Specialist insurance company PPS Mutual has added a new senior business development manager to its Queensland office, hiring from TAL.

Reporting to the insurer's Queensland state manager Richard Hopwood, Nikki Kitching brings 35 years of experience as a financial services professional, including two decades in distribution-based roles.

The firm said Kitching has a deep understanding of financial advice.

The recruit spent nearly eight years at TAL as the sunshine state's regional manager, where he was tasked with looking after financial advisers.

Before that, he carried out a similar role for AIA Australia.

Richard Hopwood welcomed Kitching to the firm, adding that Kitching's extensive experience in the insurance industry will be a valuable addition.

Hopwood said the appointment enhanced PPS Mutual's ability to communicate its value proposition to financial advisers.

"Our goal is to continue to educate advisers on the benefits of the mutual model and provide a unique offering to professionals in the Australian market," he added.

Commenting on his new role, Kitching said, "It's an exciting opportunity to be part of a company that is created by professionals, for professionals.

"The mutual model is something that the Australian market needs at present, and I look forward to taking PPS Mutual's industry-leading offer out to advisers."

PPS Mutual is backed by PPS South Africa.

It is the largest multi-disciplinary group of professionals in the world and the largest mutual company in South Africa.

The life insurer is owned by its Australian professional members, who share in the profits of the products they buy.