MLC Life Insurance has appointed Sarv Girn to the newly created position of chief innovation and transformation officer.

Girn currently serves as chief information officer at the Reserve Bank of Australia. He will assume his new role in May this year, reporting directly to MLC chief executive David Hackett.

The life insurer has entrusted Girn to drive its $400 million transformation program, “focused on delivering the most advanced digital and process infrastructure in the industry so as to create great customer experience across its group, retail and bancassurance channels,” the company said in a release.

“We have an unwavering commitment to leading the market in technology and innovation. Attracting talent like Sarv, who has such extensive financial services experience in digital innovation and customer platforms, will help cement our leadership in these areas,” said Hackett.

Sarv has a 30-year career in financial services with extensive experience in CIO, CTO and Executive GM roles in the UK, Australia and Asia, including holding senior executive positions during major customer change programs at both Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank.

MLC has pursued a number of technology initiatives since its acquisition by Japanese insurance titan Nippon Life Insurance Group in 2016.

In mid-2017, MLC launched LifeView, the company’s integrated online platform for superannuation funds.

The life insurer will soon begin rolling out its new automated underwriting rules engine for group and retail customers, which it expects will reduce the time it takes for customers and advisers to purchase cover.