MLC has merged its technical services team with those of National Australia Bank-owned financial planning groups ThreeSixty and Aviva.

The combined teams will make their support services available to independent financial advisers.

Former ThreeSixty technical services manager Gemma Dale has been appointed as head of the combined team.

Before joining ThreeSixty in 2008, Dale was senior technical manager at Asgard Wealth Solutions.

Former MLC technical services manager Paul Sarkis will not be part of the combined team, but has taken up the role of MLC manager investment platforms and research, a spokesperson for the group said.

As part of the overhaul, MLC has attracted self-managed super fund specialist Peter Hogan as a special advisor to the team, and he will be available as a consultant to the team on a part-time basis.

Hogan is a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Professionals' Association of Australia director, is principal of Plaza Financial, and is a lecturer with the University of Adelaide.

Hogan's past experience includes the role of Colonial First State head of technical services.

"Our expanded team of technical specialists will also now be available to the independent financial adviser (IFA) market following significant demand from that sector of the market, particularly for phone and email support, as well as face-to-face presentations," MLC general manager of advice services Raelene Seales said.

MLC also appointed Martin Breckon to the team as business development technical manager.

Breckon comes from Aviva, where he was a technical marketing manager.

"The team is now focused on building upon our reputation as one of the leading sources of high quality technical information," Seales said.