Fidelity Life strengthens executive leadership team with a focus on claims.

Media release

5 February 2025

Fidelity Life – New Zealand’s largest locally owned life insurance company – has strengthened its executive leadership team, adding a Chief Claims Officer to the table. It has split the current Chief Insurance Officer into two roles, with the second being Chief Operating Officer.

The company has secured Seema Bangera for the role of Chief Claims Officer and has appointed its current Head of Individual Life Dave Winspear into the role of Chief Operating Officer. Both will join the business’ executive leadership team (ELT) on 24 February.

Seema Bangera joins the business from Asteron Life, where she has been Executive Manager of Claims and Customer Solutions. A highly experienced and respected professional in the life insurance industry, Bangera has had a successful 20-year career in the space, spanning businesses like Kiwibank, Westpac and HSBC. She has won a number of awards for her leadership and contribution to the industry.

Winspear had been identified as a potential successor for executive leadership for some time. With his extensive experience and strong reputation in the industry, he is well set-up to step into the Chief Operations role. His responsibilities will include underwriting, new business and service to our customers and advisers and strategic partners.

“We’re delighted to have two such high calibre professionals and strong leaders take up these key roles,” says Fidelity Life CEO Campbell Mitchell. “It will enable us to deliver greater value and stronger support for our customers and advisers and accelerate our mission to Grow for the Good of New Zealand.”

“Claims is fundamental to why we exist for our customers – it’s our purpose, to stand beside our customers when they need us most,” says Mitchell. “There is a huge advantage of having a strong claims voice representing customers at the executive table to ensure customers and businesses get the support and experience they deserve during the most challenging times in their lives.”

The change occurs as Chief Insurance Officer Niall McConville has decided to return to his family in Melbourne. He will ensure a smooth transition over the next two months and won’t be lost to Fidelity Life as he continues in a consultancy role.

“Niall has made a huge impact at Fidelity Life over the last year,” says Mitchell. “He stepped in to lead the Insurance business unit at a time of great change, and his hands-on leadership delivered immediate value. He led the claims area during a year when the team was recognised as finalists in two big industry awards. He has led great work to strengthen the core life insurance functions of our business and built strong connections in market.” 

The company has begun the search for an exceptional leader to step into the Head of Individual Life role vacated by Winspear’s promotion. This is a pivotal role to position Fidelity Life for further growth and continue to strengthen its offer to advisers and partners.