AIA appoints new chief underwriter

AIA New Zealand has appointed Elyse Sullivan as chief underwriter, effective 6 October 2025.

Sullivan will lead underwriting strategy and operations, reporting to chief customer officer Maddie Sherlock.

She joins from Chubb Life, where she served as Underwriting Manager leading a team of 10 underwriters. In that role, she was responsible for underwriting strategy, regulatory compliance and operational performance.

Sullivan has more than 10 years' experience in life insurance underwriting. Her career includes previous roles at Sovereign - acquired by AIA Group in 2019 - and ASB, where she worked in customer service, performance optimisation and technical underwriting.

At AIA NZ, Sullivan will be responsible for enhancing underwriting capability, strengthening risk frameworks and supporting the insurer's growth strategy.
"Elyse brings a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on underwriting expertise," Sherlock said. "Her leadership will be key to evolving our underwriting function in line with our customer-first approach and growth ambitions."

Sullivan said she was joining AIA at "a dynamic time for the industry" and noted her previous connection to the business through Sovereign.