New Zealand’s insurance industry is mourning the death of actuarial icon Christopher Laurence “Chris” Coon, who died after a long battle with illness.
In 1987, Coon and Ian Hendry co-founded Sovereign, now known as AIA New Zealand. He left in 2001 after a leadership reshuffle initiated by Sovereign’s then-owner ASB Bank.
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Coon co-founded Partners Life in 2011 alongside Sovereign alumna Naomi Ballantyne. After retiring from Partners Life in 2015, Coon and his sons, Rob and Andy, created digital-first insurer Cove. Coon was listed as Cove’s chairman up until his death.
Coon also founded home equity release company Sentinel in 2002 and was group actuary and chief risk officer of Seniors Money International.
