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Welcome to TAL News & Views
Conexus Retirement Leaders’ Summit explores retirement innovation and collaboration
On 19 August at Old Parliament House in Canberra, the 2026 Conexus Retirement Leaders’ Summit brought together super funds, policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to discuss how the retirement system can deliver better outcomes for Australians.
TAL's Jenny Oliver, Chief Executive – Group Life & Retirement, and Shaun Bransdon, General Manager – Retirement & Wealth, joined conversations on the evolving regulatory landscape, the ongoing role of the Retirement Income Covenant, and opportunities to better support members through guidance, advice and innovative retirement solutions. The clear highlight was Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino's address, which set out a staged approach to expanding advice pathways for super fund members.
Alexis Denby appointed Chief Customer and Health Officer
We're pleased to share that Alexis Denby has been appointed as TAL’s Chief Customer and Health Officer, joining our Executive Team from 1 October 2026. Alexis will lead our Customer and Health strategy, bringing together health engagement and community engagement, brand and member experience, with a focus on better outcomes for customers, partners and the broader community.
This connects directly to how we advocate with government, regulators, consumer groups, mental health organisations and industry bodies to shape the environment our members live, claim and recover in. Alexis will help ensure member perspectives continue to inform our products, services and decisions, while leading work to strengthen how we respond to the rising impact of mental ill health, and broadening the support we offer beyond paying claims – from prevention through to recovery.
New Cancer Council partnership announced
TAL has announced a new partnership with Cancer Council to help more Australians, particularly younger people, better understand UV risk and take simple, practical steps to prevent skin cancer. The partnership brings together the Cancer Council’s trusted prevention expertise with TAL’s national reach and preventative health focus, building on TAL’s skin safety program and Health for Life initiatives.
The first phase will include a youth-focused sun safety campaign launching across media and social channels in November, encouraging everyday behaviours such as checking the UV index and using sun protection when UV levels are 3 or above.
Digital luncheons: 8-10 September
In September, TAL welcomed technology leaders from across superannuation and financial services to executive roundtable luncheons in Sydney and Melbourne focused on artificial intelligence, data and digital transformation.
Hosted by Hinesh Chauhan, TAL Chief Information Officer, and featuring insights from Figen Ulgen, Global Chief Data and AI Officer at Daiichi Life, the discussions explored emerging global trends, responsible AI governance and the practical challenges of turning technology investment into meaningful member outcomes. Participants also shared perspectives on the opportunities and risks shaping the sector's digital future.
What it takes to scale AI safely and effectively
In August, TAL partnered with the Fund Executives Association Limited (FEAL) to host an AI-focused luncheon series across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. An expert panel featuring Amber Auld, Head of Insurance, Capital Markets and Banking at Microsoft, and technology leaders from AustralianSuper, NGS Super and Brighter Super, explored what it actually takes to scale AI across an organisation safely: not just the technology, but the leadership and governance needed to balance innovation, risk and value.
See what it takes to scale AI safely
Meet our team: Carly Van Den Akker
We sat down with Carly Van Den Akker, TAL's new Head of Wellbeing & Recovery, to talk about her career path from allied health and reinsurance, and what's driving TAL's Reimagine Claims and Recovery program. Carly shares what fund partners can expect in the coming months, from a new recover and wellbeing support dashboard to a more proactive, personalised model of member support.
Why one-size-fits-all underwriting is on its way out
Dominique Autard, TAL's Head of Group Underwriting & Operations, explains the thinking behind ‘adaptive underwriting’, using fund and population-level evidence to ask fewer, smarter questions upfront. He also discusses how that same evidence-based discipline is shaping efficiency and risk settings at TAL.
Explore the shift to smarter underwriting
Understanding Modern Australia report launched
This month, TAL launched our first annual Understanding Modern Australia report, a new benchmark developed with McCrindle that tracks how Australians think, feel and act across the areas of life that shape their financial confidence. The report explores what's driving member sentiment around security, protection and retirement, and where the opportunities lie to close the gap between intention and action.
Learn what the findings mean for funds