Norwich Union Australia today announced the appointments of Allan Griffiths as Managing Director, Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd, effective January 22, 2001 and Grant Salmon as Group General Manager, Information Technology, effective immediately.
Norwich Union Australia today announced the appointments of Allan Griffiths as Managing Director, Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd, effective January 22, 2001 and Grant Salmon as Group General Manager, Information Technology, effective immediately.
Allan Griffiths has more than 30 years' experience in the financial services sector. He has worked for Commonwealth Bank Australia since 1991 in a number of senior distribution and Life roles, most recently as General Manager, Licensed Financial Services, where he was responsible for significant sales growth.
"Allan's appointment is an endorsement of our strong focus on sales and distribution," said Rob Garnsworthy, Norwich Union Australia Chief Executive Officer. "Allan will be responsible for aggressively building our presence across our risk, superannuation and retirement businesses. He has a great deal of credibility within the industry and is a valuable addition to the Management team."
Grant Salmon has more than 18 years' experience in information technology, providing project management and directorship to several major Australian companies on a consulting and in-house basis, including Colonial, Visy Industries and Telstra. Most recently he has worked with Norwich Union on the delivery of Project Eclipse, a new risk insurance platform.
Consistent with Norwich Union Australia's stated intention to develop one IT strategy across its group of businesses, the newly created role of Group General Manager - IT will initially give Grant direct line control of IT within the Life company and funds manager, Portfolio Partners.
"Grant's very clear objective is that we maximise the value of our considerable IT spend," said Rob Garnsworthy. "It's essential that we actively promote cooperation on IT issues across all business units within a consistent framework."
Additional Norwich Union Life appointments announced today included Doug Sumner as General Manager, Products and Marketing; and Shaun Williams as General Manager, Sales and Distribution, both reporting to Allan Griffiths. "Doug and Shaun both have a deep understanding of the industry and a reputation for delivery," said Rob Garnsworthy.
The position of General Manager, Products and Marketing, is newly created and combines superannuation and retirement with risk product responsibilities, which had been previously split. Rob Garnsworthy said that the changes announced today demonstrated the group's commitment to offering increasingly competitive products with a focus on sales growth and distribution, enabled by e-commerce.
"I'm delighted that both Allan and Grant have agreed to join our group, and I look forward to the contributions they, and their teams, will no doubt make to our business." Michael Laing (General Manager, Business Development), Sue Homewood (General Manager, Investment Products and Services), Chris Wright (General Manager, Information Technology) and Phil Hill (Life Risk Manager) will be leaving the group.
Norwich Union Australia is part of the international CGNU group, which is one of the world's largest financial services groups with more than $500 billion in assets under management.
November 29, 2000
Norwich Union Australia announces strategic appointments
Allan Griffiths and Rob Garnsworthy are available for interview.
For further information, please contact Richard Hayward at GCI Group on
(03) 9856 3400.