MAS Welcomes Melissa Macfarlane to Board of Directors
Medical Assurance Society (MAS) has announced the appointment of Melissa Macfarlane to its board of directors, effective February 1, 2025. The move comes as regulatory oversight of the financial sector continues to develop, and highlights MAS’s commitment to strengthening its governance.
Macfarlane brings extensive experience in financial services, specifically in strategy, risk management, technology, and business transformation, which MAS anticipates will be great assets.
Macfarlane’s Background
Prior to joining the MAS board, Macfarlane held key leadership positions at Westpac Bank, including chief digital officer, head of corporate strategy, and chief operating officer for its wealth and insurance divisions. In these roles, she oversaw the bank’s general and life insurance operations, launched a travel insurance partnership, and reviewed strategic options for the life insurance sector. Additionally, she led the institutional banking insurance division.
Currently, Macfarlane serves as the New Zealand country head for Constantinople, a software and operations platform designed for banking institutions.
Strengthening Governance
MAS board chair Brett Sutton emphasized the importance of Macfarlane’s appointment. “In recent years, MAS’s regulators at the Financial Markets Authority and Reserve Bank of New Zealand have set robust expectations for the governance of financial services boards, so it is critical for the MAS board to ensure we has the right balance of skills and experience to appropriately discharge our duties,” he said.
Macfarlane expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, particularly focusing on digital advancements. “As the financial landscape evolves, there are a whole host of opportunities to enhance our digital services and technology foundations while maintaining the personal touch that makes MAS special. I look forward to working with the team on the exciting journey ahead,” she stated.
Her appointment is pending a member vote at MAS’s annual general meeting in August 2025.
In-House Motor Assessors
In a separate move, MAS has also established an in-house team of motor assessors to improve claims processing times and service efficiency. The move reflects the organization’s commitment to digital transformation, a key area where Macfarlane has significant expertise.
The decision follows feedback from members regarding delays in handling total loss claims, which were previously outsourced to third-party assessors. These delays sometimes resulted in wait times of eight to 34 days. The new internal team is expected to significantly reduce these delays by providing greater oversight and direct management of claims.
