Today (9 September) Sesame Bankhall Group confirmed the board and executive management team appointed to lead the business following the completion of its strategic review.
Two years after then owner Friends Life launched a strategic review into the future of the intermediary, Sesame Bankhall revealed a new structure to the management team and that John Cupis, who was head of mortgages and general insurance will be leaving the business.
His exit follows hot on the heels of Jim Newman, who retired in June, Jon Dear, who was marketing and propositions director but left in April, and Pan Andreas, who was wealth director up until July.
The Sesame Bankhall board continues to be led by executive chairman, John Cowan, working alongside non-executive directors Diana Miller and Nick Criticos.
Following the retirement of Mr Newman, David Burlison has been appointed to the board as strategic implementation director, subject to approval by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Mr Burlison has 20 years industry experience and is a partner at KPMG.
Sesame Bankhall’s executive management team will now be made up of John Cowan, executive chairman, Stephen Gazard, managing director, Julie Sadler, compliance and risk officer, Jim Kelly, commercial director, and Lisa Winnard, HR and business services director.
Mr Gazard will take on a wider remit in the new structure with responsibility for leading Sesame Bankhall’s support for advisers across wealth and mortgages.
He said the group will continue to bolster Bankhall’s support for wealth advisers, with a greater range of services to help firms respond to the changes and opportunities in the at-retirement market.
To support Mr Gazard in running the group’s mortgage proposition, Lisa Martin, who is currently director of operations and sales and has 27 years’ experience in the mortgage arm of the business, takes on an expanded role as director of mortgages.
Ms Martin will also continue to lead the experienced team in PMS, which built the PMS Mortgage Club.
Head of member and customer support, Stuart Davies, who has worked in the industry for over 20 years, takes on a wider remit as director of network operations working alongside Ms Martin.
Mr Kelly takes on a new expanded role as the group’s commercial director, which will combine his previous finance director duties with responsibilities for legal, customer relations and supporting Mr Gazard and Ms Martin in growing the mortgage business.
Head of commercial development, Steve Cox, who has 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and currently works in SBG’s mortgage business, takes on a new group wide role supporting Mr Kelly.
Mr Cowan, executive chairman of the group, said: “In addition, the creation of several new expanded roles within our leadership team reflects the depth of experience and expertise we have within our business, and will ensure that we remain focused on delivering the best possible support to advisers.
“I am excited to be leading this strong and talented management team and we look forward to delivering quality services to both wealth and mortgage advisers.
“The outlook for both our markets and our profession is incredibly positive, so a key objective for us is to ensure that we continue to place customers at the centre of all our activities as we implement our plan to continue to build a successful and sustainable business.
“On behalf of the group I would also like to thank Jim Newman, John Cupis, Jon Dear and Pan Andreas for their valuable contribution during their time with the business. We wish them well for the future.”
emma.hughes@ft.com
