Protective Announces Key Leadership Promotions to Support Continued Growth

Paul Wells to serve as President & Chief Financial Officer, and Wade Harrison to become Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Protective Life Corporation (Protective), a U.S. subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750), is pleased to announce the promotion of two senior leaders that will position the company for future growth. Effective January 1, 2026, Paul Wells will assume the role of President, Chief Financial Officer, and Wade Harrison will be become Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer.

As President and CFO, Paul Wells will play a pivotal role in executing Protective’s strategic objectives, while also leading a unified financial organization that now includes investments and acquisitions. This move fosters even greater collaboration to drive Protective’s long-term strategy.

As Vice Chairman and COO, Wade Harrison will maintain his current responsibilities overseeing Protective’s retail businesses, operations, technology and marketing. Harrison’s elevated role will focus on ensuring strategic alignment across the enterprise.

“Both Paul and Wade have been instrumental in leading Protective through a period of growth and transformation, and they exemplify the leadership we need as we plan for the future,” said Rich Bielen, who continues as Chief Executive Officer. “These promotions recognize their contributions and ensure Protective is well-positioned to continue executing our strategy and achieving our goals to protect more people.”

In their new roles, Wells and Harrison will collaborate across the organization to help Protective accelerate growth, enhance performance and deliver even greater value to customers.

About Protective

Protective Life Corporation has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for 118 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective offers life insurance, annuity, asset protection and employee benefit solutions and is helping nearly 17 million people protect what matters most. Protective's more than 3,500 employees put people first and deliver on the company's promises to customers, partners, colleagues and communities—because we're all protectors. With a long-term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc., has $125 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2024. Protective is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and is supported by a robust virtual workforce and core sites in the greater Cincinnati area and St. Louis. For more information about Protective, visit protective.com.