TAL welcomes a new chair

Mark Joiner is the insurer's new chair, following Duncan Boyle's decision to retire after eight years of leading the board.

Boyle joined the TAL board as chair in September 2014.

During that time, he oversaw the most significant period of growth at TAL in its 150-year history, including the acquisitions of the Australian life insurance businesses of both Suncorp and Westpac. He also guided the company through a period of substantial regulatory and industry change.

In announcing his departure, Boyle said: "Under chief executive and managing director Brett Clark's leadership, TAL has achieved much in the past few years, and the company is in a strong financial and operational position."

"There is still more to do, and TAL is well-placed to continue to prosper in the future.

Boyle said he was "delighted" with the new appointment citing Joiner's extensive financial services leadership experience. "I wish him and the team all the best for the next phase of TAL's development," he said.

Joiner is currently chair of QBE Insurance Group in Australia and New Zealand and chair of PEXA. He also sits on the board of Latitude Financial Services.

Joiner spent five years as finance director at National Australia Bank, having earlier worked for Citigroup in the United States and as a management consultant with Boston Consulting Group in Australia and the United States.

Commenting on his appointment, Joiner said he is delighted to be able to contribute to TAL's next phase of growth.

"I have been impressed by the transformation that has taken place over the last decade to establish TAL as the leading life insurer in Australia and look forward to working with the team to maintain that momentum for the benefit of all our stakeholders," he said.