Friends Provident has appointed Colin Williams director of corporate.
Williams’ predecessor, Paul McMahon, has joined Aegon as group marketing director.
In his new role at Friends Provident, Williams will be responsible for the development and implementation of the workplace savings strategy in the corporate benefits market, and will manage the ongoing integration of the Friends Provident and Axa corporate propositions.
He was previously distribution and marketing director at Friends Provident and has over 15 years experience in the corporate benefits industry. He will continue to oversee the creation and management of the sales and marketing strategy for Friends Provident.
Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer at Friends Provident, said: “Colin is well known among corporate [independent financial advisers] IFAs and employee benefit consultants and has a deep understanding of the corporate benefits market. Colin is a great asset to our business and I am pleased we have someone of his calibre in this important role.”
At Aegon, McMahon will spearhead the delivery of the organisation’s new marketing strategy as it prepares for the changes brought about by the Retail Distribution Review and it repositions its UK business to focus its development on the two growth markets of workplace savings and at-retirement solutions.
Before holding the role of managing director, UK corporate, at Friends Provident, McMahon was managing director, corporate benefits for Axa’s life and pensions businesses while it was being acquired by Friends Provident’s parent company Resolution.
Otto Thoresen, chief executive at Aegon UK, said: “Paul has specific skills in the wrap and platform markets which will dovetail well with Aegon’s proposition development. This is an exciting appointment, which represents an important milestone as we progress with our new strategy.
“Aegon’s ongoing commitment to the UK market will be underpinned by a commitment to developing exciting talent, bringing in specialist skills where required, and targeting growth opportunities.”
As a result of the new appointment Andy Marchant, Aegon’s life and pensions marketing director, will be leaving the organisation.
Read more articles on appointments in the life and pensions market