Tower Appoints Chief Data And Analytics Officer And Chief Digital And Technology Officer

Friday, 22 August 2025, 10:39 am
Press Release: Tower

Tower has announced the appointment of two new executives to its leadership team, strengthening its focus on digital and data capabilities as key drivers of customer experience and business growth.

Dr. Stephen Hastings will move into the role of Chief Data and Analytics Officer, effective immediately, and Micheal Maclean will join Tower as Chief Digital and Technology Officer in early November.

Tower Chief Executive Officer Paul Johnston says, “The appointments mark the next evolution of Tower’s digital and data strategy, building on the momentum of investments in our digital platform and reinforcing our commitment to continued technology leadership in this rapidly changing space.

“Digital technology and data are central to how we serve our customers and grow our business. Stephen and Micheal bring deep expertise and leadership that will help us accelerate our strategy and deliver even better outcomes for our customers. We’re thrilled to welcome them to Tower’s leadership team.”

Stephen brings over 25 years’ experience in data, analytics, AI and innovation, having founded and led KPMG New Zealand’s Digital Lighthouse division. His career spans financial services, insurance, utilities and government, with a proven track record in strategy execution, product development and advanced analytics.

He says, “Tower has a fantastic culture and is a digital leader in the insurance industry. There’s a huge opportunity to accelerate transformation through smart, safe use of data, analytics, and AI. I’m excited to be joining the team at such a pivotal moment and to help deliver meaningful value for our customers.”

Micheal joins Tower with deep expertise in digital transformation and customer experience. He previously led ASB’s Everyday Banking business and spearheaded its agile transformation programme. His career reflects a consistent focus on building high-performing teams and delivering impactful digital solutions.

He says, “Tower’s strong digital foundation and customer-first mindset make this an exciting time to join. I see a real opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place and accelerate the delivery of smart, intuitive solutions that make insurance simpler and more accessible.”

As a digital direct insurer, Tower continues to invest in the platforms and capabilities that support seamless digital experiences for customers across New Zealand and the Pacific. Data is also playing an increasingly critical role in helping customers understand and manage risk, particularly in the context of climate change, where access to accurate property data supports better decision-making.

Tower is committed to continually evolving and staying ahead of technology change to deliver smarter, more intuitive experiences that create real value and make life easier for customers. These efforts are underpinned by strong data foundations, advanced digital platforms, and emerging AI capabilities.

About Tower

Born and bred in New Zealand, Tower has been supporting Kiwi when they need it most for more than 150 years. In that time, we’ve grown to operate across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, providing our customers with cover for their houses, cars, contents, businesses and more.

While our heritage is important to us, we’ve also set our sights on the future. Tower’s focus on innovation and investment in large-scale digital transformation, has enabled the business to evolve rapidly, in-line with the latest in technology and customer expectations. The result is customer-focused, digital-first insurance solutions - combined with joining forces with like-minded partners, Tower has been able to create more, simpler products, to suit the modern lifestyles of its customers.

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