AIA New Zealand has announced the appointment of Travis Higgins as Acting Chief Customer Officer, effective from mid-October 2026, as Chief Customer Officer, Maddie Sherlock takes parental leave.
The insurer says Higgins has 18 years’ experience at AIA New Zealand, having held senior leadership roles including Head of Claims, Head of Customer Operations and currently as Head of Aligned Advice.
It says that through these roles, he has built strong relationships across the AIA NZ business, with advisers and across the wider industry.
CEO Nick Stanhope says Higgins is well placed to lead the customer function during Sherlock’s absence.
He says Higgins is a “…highly respected leader with a deep understanding of our business, our customers and our adviser partners. His broad experience across claims, operations and advice positions him well to provide continuity, support our teams and maintain momentum across our customer strategy during this period.”
Higgins says it’s a privilege to be stepping into the role. “I’m excited to continue working closely with our people, advisers and partners to deliver positive outcomes for our customers…”
Higgins will work alongside Sherlock over the next two months before taking up the role in mid-October and will remain Acting Chief Customer Officer until Sherlock returns from parental leave in June 2027.