Acenda Group has made four board appointments as it prepares for Resolution Life Australasia to become part of the business.

Catherine Dube, David Stephen, Melissa Babbage and Rosheen Garnon will be independent non-executive directors.

Acenda, previously known as MLC, is controlled by Japan’s Nippon Life. In December, the Japanese group announced an $US8.2 billion ($12.65 billion) deal to buy Bermuda-based Resolution Life, including its Australasian business.

The board appointments will take effect upon completion of the deal in the second half, Acenda says.

Ms Dube and Mr Stephen are independent non-executive directors of MLC, while Ms Babbage and Ms Garnon hold similar positions at Resolution Life Australasia.

“Their combined experience in financial services will be instrumental as we guide the Acenda Group into a new era,” Acenda chair Craig Dunn said.