In a statement issued today, AMP announced that Mr Meller — who was scheduled to exit at the end of 2018 — will step aside effective immediately with Mr Wilkins taking the temporary reins.
Mr Wilkins will also chair a review into governance procedures and the financial advice business in co-operation with law firm King & Wood Mallesons.
He currently sits on the boards of AMP, QBE Insurance and Medibank, and previously held senior executive roles at IAG, Suncorp and Tyndall.
The senior leadership change comes as AMP has given evidence to the royal commission that it made at least 20 false and misleading statements to the corporate regulator over a seven-year period.
AMP chair Catherine Brenner has "apologised unreservedly" for the misconduct.
