Geoff Summerhayes appointed new APRA member, Helen Rowell to deputy chair

Geoff Summerhayes has been appointed a member of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) by the Treasurer for a term of five years from January 1.

Summerhayes was most recently the chief executive officer of Suncorp Life, a role he has held since 2008. Prior to joining Suncorp, he spent more than 20 years with property and financial services organisations like Lend Lease, MLC and NAB.

In his new role, Summerhayes will focus on APRA’s activities in relation to general, life and private health insurance.

The Treasurer also appointed Helen Rowell, an APRA member since July 2013, as the regulator's deputy chair for the remainder of her five-year term. Rowell will continue to have primary responsibility within APRA for all superannuation-related matters.

"Geoff will bring a great deal of commercial acumen and experience to the position of APRA Member. I look forward to working with Helen and Geoff to ensure APRA continues to perform its responsibilities effectively and efficiently, for the benefit of the Australian community," said APRA chairman Wayne Byres.