TAL appoints new Director to the Board

Australia’s leading life insurer, TAL, has today announced the appointment of highly respected financial services industry leader Naomi Edwards as an independent Non-Executive Director.

Ms Edwards’ leadership in the life insurance and superannuation sectors spans a 35-year career in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. As Chair of Spirit Super until November 2022 Ms Edwards led significant transformation and merger activity during a period of substantial regulatory and industry change, overseeing the fund’s transformation from $1.5 billion funds under management 12 years ago to $25 billion today.

Ms Edwards has worked extensively in the ethical investments sector and was a Director of Australian Ethical Super and Chair of Australian Ethical Investment. An actuary by training, Ms Edwards was a partner of Deloitte, advising banks and life insurers on M&A, and she is the 2023 President of the Actuaries Institute Australia.

TAL Chair Mark Joiner said: “Naomi is a highly respected leader of the superannuation and life insurance sectors focused on delivering results for all stakeholders. On behalf of the Board, I extend a warm welcome to Naomi and look forward to working with her as TAL executes the next phase of its corporate strategy.”

Ms Edwards said: “I have followed TAL’s journey and admired its culture and corporate values and am delighted to be joining the Board. I look forward to working with the Board and the executive team led by CEO Brett Clark.”

About Naomi Edwards

Naomi Edwards was appointed to the TAL Board on 8 December 2022 as an independent Non-Executive Director. Ms Edwards serves on the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee.

Ms Edwards is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries (London and Australia) and is the 2023 President of the Actuaries Institute Australia. She is a former Partner of Deloitte and has also worked extensively with fund managers and superannuation funds, in the Industry Super, Retail ESG and ethical super sectors. She currently works as a Chair and Non-Executive Director across a variety of listed and unlisted companies.

Ms Edwards is currently the Chair of Accurium Limited, and is a Non-Executive Director for Yarra Investment Management, Propel Funeral Partners and the Tasmanian Development Board. She is the former Chair of Spirit Super and Australian Ethical Investment. She has also served on the boards of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Ethical Super, the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, Hunter Hall and Nikko AM Ltd.