Meet the team leading Tower day-to-day
Paul Johnston
Chief Executive Officer
Paul joined Tower as Chief Financial Officer in 2022 and was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer in June 2025.
With 25 years' experience across multiple industries, particularly in the insurance and financial services sectors, Paul has extensive international, strategic, and operational finance expertise.
Prior to Tower, he was based in Tokyo as the Chief Financial Officer and Far East Region Director for Chubb, one of the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance companies. Before this, Paul spent almost 16 years in the UK with Chubb, AIG, Nomura Investment Bank and Deloitte.
He has a proven international track record in executive leadership and increasing profitability across consumer-focused companies.
Simon Hoole
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Simon is an experienced finance executive with deep expertise across insurance and financial services.
He has a strong background in regulatory, governance and large-scale transformation programmes. Prior to joining Tower, Simon served as Group Finance Director at Datacom, including a period as Interim Chief Financial Officer, where he led all financial functions for the technology business.
He has previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at Villa Maria Estate and Resolution Life (formerly AMP Life Australia and New Zealand). Earlier in his career, he held senior finance roles within the AMP Group, including Chief Financial Officer of AMP New Zealand.
Sharyn Reichstein
Chief Risk Officer
Sharyn joined Tower in July 2023. She is an experienced executive who brings a wealth of knowledge in enterprise risk management, corporate governance, financial regulation, financial risk, and risk management to Tower.
Prior to taking up the Chief Risk Officer role, Sharyn held the position of General Manager, General Insurance, for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), where she was responsible for the regulation and supervision of the general insurance industry in Australia. She was also the Chair of APRA's General Insurance Industry Group, scanning the risk environment and setting strategic responses to industry issues.
With extensive experience in supervision of the financial sector, spanning banking, insurance, and superannuation, Sharyn is highly skilled in stress testing, policy development, supervision frameworks, and corporate strategy.
Michelle Finch
Chief Customer and Marketing Officer
Michelle has a strong background in financial services comprising marketing, product, digital and growth roles with over 25 years’ experience in New Zealand and South Africa.
Michelle joined Tower in 2021. Prior to her appointment as Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, she led Tower's marketing and customer experience design initiatives, which have cemented Tower as a progressive and customer focused brand.
Prior to joining Tower, Michelle held a variety of senior roles at Westpac, including leading Westpac NZ's Consumer Segment’s business (agile tribe of 100+ team members), where she was responsible for the digital consumer banking experience and for creating and delivering end-to-end customer solutions across key segments. Before that, Michelle led Westpac NZ’s Everyday Banking Deposit products.
Ron Mudaliar
Chief Underwriting Officer
Ron joined Tower as Head of Underwriting in October 2016 with more than 30 years' experience in the insurance industry in New Zealand, London and India. Ron's previous roles include executive management of large operational teams (150+), risk and compliance overview of operational and sales teams, NZ Integration Lead for merger of two large Australian general insurers and managing large portfolios of intermediated and partner businesses.
Ron has led business ownership of large transformation programmes predominantly for migration of legacy business to new products and platforms.
Dr. Stephen Hastings
Chief Data and Analytics Officer
Stephen brings over 25 years' experience in data, analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation to Tower, with a strong track record in strategy execution, product development, and advanced analytics. His career spans financial services, utilities and the public sector.
Prior to joining Tower, Stephen founded and led KPMG New Zealand's Digital Lighthouse division. He has held several senior data and analytics roles across New Zealand and Australia, including with Contact Energy, M&C Saatchi Group and Accenture.
Stephen is passionate about driving transformation through the intelligent and responsible use of data, analytics, and AI. He holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry.
Carly Orr
Chief People Officer
Carly joined Tower in February 2026 and brings extensive experience in people leadership, organisational development, and cultural transformation across telecommunications, banking and insurance, including roles at Suncorp, BNZ, Kiwibank, Auckland DHB, and Fidelity Life.
Carly is skilled in strengthening organisational culture and is passionate about how people and leadership can deliver on the company's vision and goals, while fostering a culture of well-being, innovation, and collaboration.
Micheal Maclean
Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Micheal joined Tower in November 2025 and leads our digital and technology strategy. He brings deep expertise in digital transformation and customer experience. Previously, Micheal led ASB's Everyday Banking business and spearheaded its agile transformation programme.
Micheal is passionate about creating seamless, intuitive experiences that make insurance simpler and more accessible for all New Zealanders. His career reflects a consistent focus on building high-performing teams and delivering impactful digital solutions.
Mike Skeens
Chief Operations Officer
Mike Skeens was appointed Tower's Chief Operations Officer in May 2026, and is responsible for leading Tower's operational hubs, teams, systems and processes to support strong customer outcomes and business performance.
Mike joined Tower in 2024 as Head of Customer Contact Centre, where he led customer sales and service and played a key role in expanding Tower's service hub in Suva.
He brings more than 20 years' experience leading operational change and customer-focused teams across aviation, telecommunications and business process outsourcing.
Prior to joining Tower, Mike held leadership roles with organisations including Qantas, Air New Zealand and One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone). Mike is a values-led leader, passionate about building high-performing teams and delivering better outcomes for customers.