Canara HSBC Life Insurance appoints Dinesh Tak chief agency officer

Canara HSBC Life Insurance has appointed Dinesh Tak chief agency officer, adding experienced leadership at a time when agency distribution remains central to the company strategy. In this role, he will be responsible for strengthening and expanding the proprietary agency network, while building long term capabilities that deepen customer engagement across India. He will report to Anuj Mathur, managing director and chief executive officer.

Why Canara HSBC Life Insurance appoints a new chief agency officer

The life insurance sector in India is undergoing steady regulatory change and rising customer expectations. While digital channels are growing, the agency channel still plays a vital role in creating trust, explaining complex products and guiding families through long term financial decisions.

By appointing a seasoned professional like Dinesh Tak as chief agency officer, Canara HSBC Life Insurance is reinforcing the importance of this human led model. His mandate covers

• Expansion of the agency footprint

• Training and capability building for agents and managers

• Strengthening processes that improve customer experience and retention

• Supporting growth in protection, savings and retirement products

Leadership confidence in the agency business

Welcoming Dinesh to the leadership team, MD and CEO Anuj Mathur described the agency channel as one of the critical elements in establishing long term customer trust for Canara HSBC Life. He highlighted Dinesh’s deep understanding of the insurance landscape, strategic thinking and ability to inspire high performing teams as key reasons for his appointment.

When should insurers double down on the agency model In markets where financial literacy is still developing and products are long term in nature, trusted advisors remain essential. A well run agency network can help bridge gaps in awareness, simplify product choices and provide ongoing service over many years.

Dinesh Tak’s vision for the agency network

Commenting on his appointment, Dinesh Tak said he is joining Canara HSBC Life Insurance at a time when the industry is seeing deep transformation and renewed regulatory momentum. He sees the agency business as a powerful lever to expand access to protection, savings and retirement products across India, especially beyond large urban centres.

He has outlined his focus on building an agile, customer first agency network. That includes

• Investing in training and digital tools that make agents more productive

• Encouraging advisory led conversations instead of pure product pushing

• Strengthening quality of recruitment and career paths within the agency force

• Ensuring that customer needs and outcomes remain at the heart of every interaction

Experience that supports his new mandate

Tak brings more than two decades of experience in sales and distribution within the insurance sector. His earlier roles at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and Axis Max Life Insurance exposed him to different distribution models, regions and customer segments.

He holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from IMT Ghaziabad, which adds formal business grounding to his field experience. This combination of academic training and frontline leadership can help him balance growth targets with sustainable, customer centric practices.

Is the agency channel still relevant in the age of digital insurance

The rise of online comparison platforms and direct purchase journeys often raises the question of whether the traditional agency model is still relevant. In reality, the two need not be in conflict. A modern agency network can use digital tools to enhance, not replace, human interaction.

Agents can

• Use digital platforms to generate leads and manage relationships

• Offer video consultations to reach customers in remote locations

• Access real time product, training and compliance updates

• Combine personal trust with data driven recommendations

With Canara HSBC Life Insurance appoints Dinesh Tak chief agency officer, the company is signalling its intent to build a future ready yet relationship driven distribution engine. His experience across leading life insurers, coupled with a clear focus on customer first execution, positions him to lead the next phase of growth for the agency channel and support the company mission of widening access to life insurance solutions across India.

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