Richard Howells has made a return to Sesame Bankhall Group, becoming managing director of the Sesame network.
He is currently director of insurance, wealth, life and pensions at Experian and will take on his new role in April.
Howells has 20 years' industry experience working in a range of executive roles. Prior to Experian, he spent more than seven years at Zurich Financial Services as UK intermediary sales director. Other senior roles include managing director of strategy and development at Bankhall, along with chief executive of Berkeley Independent Advisers.
I cannot wait to start working with the team to help strengthen our member relationships further, and develop a new range of compelling propositions, as well as ensuring Sesame champions the valuable service delivered to customers by its mortgage and protection firms"
Howells will join Sesame Bankhall Group's executive team and report into group managing director Martin Schultheiss.
Schultheiss said: "Richard's industry background is ideal for us, combining a successful financial advisory track record in executive roles, with recent years spent working on disruptive digital engagement strategies.
"He will bring fresh thinking to our future plans, helping to ensure our members compete successfully in a digital world. Our group is investing in a range of exciting new services that will be built with advisers, for advisers, and with a clear focus on the delivery of great service and good customer outcomes."
He added: "With the strong support of our loyal members, 2018 was a very successful year for our group and the advisers we serve. We are determined to build on this and deliver even greater value, so having a senior leadership team with the right credentials is vital - particularly at a time of rapid economic and technological change."
Howells said: "Sesame Bankhall Group is investing heavily in the future of professional advice and there are exciting times ahead for its members. I cannot wait to start working with the team to help strengthen our member relationships further, and develop a new range of compelling propositions, as well as ensuring Sesame champions the valuable service delivered to customers by its mortgage and protection firms."
John Cowan, SBG's executive chairman, said: "We have worked hard over the last year to assemble a senior team with the right mix of skills, experience and energy to take our business forward onto the next level.
"Following the arrival of Martin as group managing director and Ross Liston as managing director of Bankhall and PMS, I am really pleased that Richard will now also be joining our executive team as managing director of Sesame.
"Our members are in safe hands and will benefit from his strategic thinking as we develop and roll-out the next generation of adviser services."
