Our History
Acenda Life is proud to build on more than 175 years of history represented by the Acenda Group – bringing together the combined heritage of the former MLC Life Insurance business (rebranded to Acenda Life), Resolution Life Australasia and Asteron Life New Zealand.
Acenda Group History
2025
MLC Life Insurance rebrands to Acenda Life.
Resolution Life Australasia acquire Asteron Life New Zealand (Suncorp’s New Zealand life insurance operations).
Nippon Life acquires the Resolution Life Group globally and its remaining stake in the former MLC Life Insurance business. The acquisition unites Acenda Life, Resolution Life Australasia, and Asteron Life in New Zealand, under the Acenda Group, becoming one of the largest life insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand. This milestone is the culmination of shared values refined over a combined 175+ years of heritage, strength, and expertise.
2022
Vivo, a new health, wellness, and recovery proposition by MLC Life Insurance, is launched. Less than six months later, it wins its first industry award.
2021
MLC Life Insurance responds to COVID-19 by assuring customers that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine will not influence insurance underwriting decisions or impact a customer’s ability to get cover.
2020
Resolution Life acquires AMP Life. The acquisition of AMPʼs mature and wealth protection business makes Resolution Life the largest business of its kind in Australia and New Zealand.
2016
MLC Life Insurance separates from MLC wealth business, as Nippon Life Group acquires 80% of underlying life company from NAB.
2011
AMP & AXA Asia Pacific merge.
2009
MLC acquires Aviva Australia Holdings.
2007
Asteron Life becomes part of Suncorp, following Suncorpʼs merger with the Promina Group.
2003
Sir Clive Cowdery founds Resolution, the first company to bear the Resolution name. As a pioneer of the life insurance consolidation market, Resolution supports the long-term growth of the primary life insurance industry for the benefit of society.
Royal & Sun Alliance floats its Australasian assets under the name Promina, and later rebrands to Asteron.
2000
NAB acquires MLC from Lendlease.
Tyndall Life Insurance Company Limited changes its name to Royal & Sun Alliance Financial Services Limited.
1999
An Australian company, Tyndall Australia, acquires Royal & Sun Alliance.
In Australia, National Mutual rebrands to AXA.
1998
AMP lists on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges. The company also launches AMP Scholarships to support New Zealanders in achieving their dreams.
Royal Insurance and Sun Alliance merge to form Royal & Sun Alliance.
1992
MLC acquires Australian Eagle Insurance.
1990
The Australian Government names both AMP and National Mutual in their six pillars policy, recognising them as financial institutions of national importance.
MLC and Capita merge.
1982 – 1985
Lendlease acquires MLC.
1960
AMP opens its Auckland Office.
1959
The Sun Insurance Office merges with The Alliance Assurance Company to form Sun Alliance Insurance Limited.
1918
MLC refunds risk premiums to soldiers returning from WWI.
1914
AMP steps up as the first company to provide assurance to WWI soldiers.
1908
The Citizensʼ Life Assurance Company combines with the Mutual Life Association of Australasia to form The Mutual Life and Citizensʼ Assurance Company (later known as MLC).
1896
National Mutual forms through the merger of National Life and Mutual Life Assurance Society.
1886 – 1887
The Citizenʼs Life Assurance Company is founded by James Patrick Garvin. The business is registered in December 1886 and opens for business in January 1887.
1870
The Sun Insurance Office is established in New Zealand.
1860
Benjamin Short becomes AMPʼs first agent.
1849 – 1851
AMP expands by recruiting local agents across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. Initially, most policies are sold to AMPʼs own members, with the first external policies issued in March 1849. The company faces challenges educating the public on insurance and annuities, but reaches 100 policies by April 1851.
1848
On 31 August, a group of businessmen including Thomas Holt Jnr, Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, and William Perry, meet. They form an organisation to provide life assurance to Australians, leading to the establishment of the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP). As a mutual society, AMP raises no initial capital and has no shareholders, relying solely on its members.
The Societyʼs goal is to provide financial security for families through life insurance and annuities. AMPʼs rules are registered on 28 December 1848 under the Friendly Societiesʼ of New South Wales Act.