HUB24 boosts adviser engagement with new hire

HUB24 has appointed an executive hiring from Allianz Retire+ to oversee its technical services functions for better engagement with advisers.

Justine Marquet has joined the platform as head of technical services, a role she held with Allianz Retire+ for the past three years.

At HUB24, she leads the technical services function, and will work to increase adviser knowledge, engagement and strategy adoption, while developing digital tools to enhance advice strategies.

She brings close to three decades of experience across the financial services industry, with an emphasis on life insurance. Prior to Allianz Retire+, Marquet served as head of technical services, research and regulatory change at MLC Life, where she also held other leadership positions for more than three years.

HUB24 has been expanding its leadership suite, with the company having appointed Jason Hair to the newly created role of chief operating and innovation officer in August, while welcoming Andrew Fomica to the board earlier this year.

HUB24 said it was pleased to welcome Marquet to the company.

"Justine joins our growth leadership team with almost three decades of experience across financial services, bringing deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of the advice industry," HUB24 said.

"Justine will also contribute to the ongoing evolution of our product and platform strategy. We're excited to have Justine on board and look forward to the expertise, insight and industry perspective she will bring to HUB24."

Allianz Retire+ partners with AIA

Meanwhile, Allianz Retire+ has partnered with AIA Australia to work with super funds, wealth platforms, financial advisers and retirement service providers to improve health and wellbeing of Australians.

Under the partnership, AIA will use AIA Vitality, a science-backed behavioural to urge early retirement planning, while Allianz Retire+ will provide its Allianz Guaranteed Income for Life (AGILE) offering.

Commenting, Allianz Retire+ chief executive David Kane said: "The strategic partnership comes at an important point for Australia's retirement system, as government and regulators increasingly call for solutions that give Australians greater confidence and certainty in retirement."

"Allianz Retire+ is experiencing positive momentum as advisers, superannuation funds and retirees increasingly recognise the value of retirement income solutions, including AGILE. This reflects a broader shift in how Australians are preparing for retirement and managing longevity risk.

"This strategic partnership with AIA Australia builds on that momentum and strengthens our ability to meet rising demand across the market. By bringing together Allianz Retire+'s retirement income expertise and AIA Australia's strengths in health, wellbeing and customer engagement, we can help more Australians retire with confidence and achieve better retirement outcomes."

AIA Australia chief executive Damien Mu added the insurer is focused on helping people live healthier.

"We know that people are currently living longer, but they're not necessarily spending their later years in good health; and financial security plays a big part in someone's overall wellbeing. This is why we're partnering: we bring our expertise in lifelong engagement and wellbeing to the table, to combine with the Allianz Retire+ market-leading retirement income guarantee," Mu said.

"We're excited about the opportunity for this partnership to provide the two-fold solution to the retirement puzzle: lifetime income security alongside a healthy and comfortable life."