AIA New Zealand has entered 2025 with a bang by making two leadership changes.
Angela Busby (pictured left) has been appointed chief distribution officer, and Maddie Sherlock (pictured right) will take on the role of chief customer officer.
These appointments come as part of the insurer’s broader strategy to strengthen its executive team.
Nick Stanhope, CEO of AIA NZ, acknowledged the appointments, saying: “I know they will continue to make a difference alongside their teams to help New Zealand become one of the healthiest and best protected nations in the world.”
As chief distribution officer, Busby will lead efforts in business development, overseeing independent financial adviser (IFA) and group distribution channels, aligned advice, and the ASB partnership. She will also manage distribution performance and regulatory supervision.
Busby brings over three decades of experience in financial markets and has previously held leadership roles at AIA NZ, including chief customer officer and chief strategy officer. Before joining AIA, she served as chief people and culture officer at Sovereign, managing principal of ASB Securities, and general manager of Aegis. Additionally, she has chaired TAHITO, a New Zealand-based investment company, and participated in the Sustainable Business Council NZ advisory board.
Of Māori heritage, Busby is affiliated with Te Rarawa and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.
In her new role as chief customer officer, Sherlock will oversee customer-facing operations, including underwriting, claims management, rehabilitation services, and overall customer experience.
With over 13 years in the life insurance sector, Sherlock joined AIA in 2015 and has held several leadership roles, including head of customer strategic delivery and head of customer operations. Her qualifications include a bachelor of science in psychology, and her career has been marked by a focus on operational efficiency and service improvement.
