AIA New Zealand has appointed Jonathan Beale (pictured) as chief distribution officer, effective Jan. 19, with responsibility for the life insurer’s intermediary, corporate, and partner distribution channels in the local market.
In his new role, Beale will oversee business development across AIA NZ’s retail distribution network, strategic accounts, aligned advice, corporate solutions, and the insurer’s partnership with ASB. His remit also includes distribution performance and supervision. Beale joined AIA NZ in 2025 as head of strategic accounts. In that position, he worked with advisers and institutional partners and supported projects focused on adviser engagement and distribution initiatives. The new role gives Beale oversight of AIA NZ’s relationships with financial advice businesses, corporate clients, and banking partners as the insurer competes in the New Zealand life and health insurance market, where intermediary and partnership models remain central to distribution.
Beale has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, including senior posts at AMP, Westpac, and ASB. Before moving to AIA NZ, he was general manager - wealth at ASB, where his responsibilities covered advisory distribution, product development, asset management, and KiwiSaver. Earlier, he served as managing director partnerships at Tower, working with financial institutions and corporate partners on insurance distribution arrangements.
AIA NZ chief executive officer Nick Stanhope said Beale’s experience across advice, banking, and insurance distribution aligns with the company’s priorities. “Jonathan brings an impressive depth of experience across distribution and partnerships, and we’re thrilled to have him step into this role. He has a proven ability to strengthen relationships, lift performance, and deliver outcomes that genuinely support advisers and their clients. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence in the market and build a distribution network that is fit for the future,” Stanhope said. Beale said he plans to continue working closely with advisers and other partners as he moves into the role. “Having worked closely with our partners and advisers, I’m looking forward to helping our distribution teams create more opportunities, deliver even better experiences, and support advisers in building long-term value for their clients,” Beale said.
AIA New Zealand has operated in the local life insurance market for more than 40 years and is part of AIA Group, which is listed in Asia-Pacific. The New Zealand business offers life, health, and wellbeing products and distributes through independent advisers, bank partnerships, and corporate solutions. For insurance professionals, Beale’s appointment indicates a continued focus by AIA NZ on distribution capability and partner channels, against a backdrop of growth in the wider group’s new business value and operating profit.
