PPS Mutual creates new director of strategy role

PPS Mutual has created a new role of director of strategy to lead the life insurer's long-term strategy and identify opportunities to deliver ongoing value to members.

Matthew Pilcher, who has been with the firm since 2014, was appointed in the role.

Pilcher joined PPS Mutual ahead of its Australian launch and has served as director of proposition for more than a decade. He designed Professionals Choice, PPS Mutual's specialist life insurance offering.

He was also key in launching the PPS Mutual Super Fund in 2019, allowing eligible professionals to fund their premiums through superannuation. Prior to PPS Mutual, Pilcher spent 14 years at Munich Re of Australasia.

"I've been part of this journey since before we launched, and seeing PPS Mutual grow to more than 18,000 members and approaching $150 million of in-force premiums has been remarkable," Pilcher said.

"But scale isn't the goal in itself. What it gives us is the capacity to do more for the professionals who own this business, and for the advisers who look after them.

"As a mutual, every opportunity we pursue has to pass a simple test: does it deliver value and peace of mind to our members and their families? That's the lens I'll bring to this role as we look at where we go next."

PPS Mutual has also promoted senior product actuary for member strategy and engagement manager Avanti Patki as the head of product, reporting to Pilcher.

Patki will lead the development, pricing and ongoing evolution of PPS Mutual's specialist product suite, including its Professionals Choice offering, as well as responsibility for PPS Mutual's member eligibility.

Both appointments take effect from October 1.

"I'm delighted to see Matt and Avanti step into these roles. Matt has helped shape PPS Mutual from the outset, and Avanti has brought wide-ranging expertise to our product work and helped expand the range of professionals we can serve," PPS Mutual chief executive Michael Pillemer said.

"We have always said that being a mutual should shape the decisions we make, not simply describe our ownership structure.

"As we enter our second decade, we have the opportunity to do more for the professionals who have placed their trust in us. I know Matt and Avanti will keep our Members at the centre of what comes next, and I'm excited to see what they achieve with the wider PPS Mutual team."