AIA NZ has appointed Elyse Sullivan as its new chief underwriter, with the role effective from 6th October 2025. The insurer said the appointment represents an important step in strengthening its underwriting leadership and supporting its broader growth strategy.
Maddie Sherlock, AIA NZ’s chief customer officer, said Sullivan brings a rare mix of strategic capability and practical underwriting expertise. “Elyse brings a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on underwriting expertise. Her leadership will be key to evolving our underwriting function in line with our customer-first approach and growth ambitions. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team.” The company said she will lead underwriting strategy and operations while working with cross-functional teams to enhance capability, strengthen risk frameworks and support its purpose-led approach.
Sullivan has more than a decade of experience in life insurance underwriting, most recently serving as underwriting manager at Chubb Life, where she led a team of ten and helped shape underwriting strategy, regulatory compliance and operational performance. Her earlier career includes roles at Sovereign, later acquired by AIA Group, and ASB, where she developed technical underwriting skills along with experience in customer service and performance optimisation.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining AIA New Zealand at such a dynamic time for the industry,” says Sullivan. “I’ve long admired AIA’s purpose-led approach and its commitment to helping New Zealanders live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives – and this is also something of a homecoming for me given my time at Sovereign. I look forward to working with the talented underwriting team to continue building a customer-first, high-performing environment that supports sustainable growth and innovation.”