Royal London Announces Executive Team For Combined International Business
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Royal London, the UK's largest mutual life and pensions company, has announced the executive team which will lead its international business. The combination of the Scottish Life International and Scottish Provident International businesses, which was announced on 10 June, will increase Royal London's growth in the offshore sector and substantially enhance the scale of its operations.
Executive structure
David Kneeshaw, currently Chief Executive of Scottish Life International (SLI), has been appointed Chief Executive of the combined business.
Simon Pack has been appointed International Sales Director, with responsibility for the international sales teams in Germany, Hong Kong, the Middle East and South Africa. Simon's 20 years experience in international sales, most recently with SLI, will be key in growing and developing international business.
David White has been appointed UK Sales Director, with responsibility of the UK sales teams, Wrap distribution, sales support and technical development. With 12 years experience in the offshore market, the last 4 of which have been focused on the UK market with Scottish Provident International Life Assurance (SPILA), David will build on the success already established by both companies in the UK.
Mike Crellin, current Finance Director at SLI, has been appointed as Finance and Commercial Director and will be responsible for Finance, Actuarial, Marketing, Underwriting, Investment Dealing and Project Activity. Mike has 20 years experience in the offshore life industry and his considerable expertise will drive the commercial success of the business.
Completing the executive team, Dave Cameron, currently Operations & IT Director at SPILA, will become the Operations Director, with specific responsibility for Customer Service and IT. Dave has significant experience in these areas and his work will be critical to the success of the combined businesses.
Head Office location
It has been confirmed that the combined international business will be based in Provident House on the Isle of Man. This is currently the location of SPILA's head office. Detailed planning will now be started to ensure the move takes place with the minimum disruption.
John Deane, Chief Executive of Royal London's Intermediary Division, said:
"I'm delighted to announce such a successful and talented executive team to lead Royal London's new international business. This team represents the broad range of skills and experience that exist in both SPILA and SLI."
David Kneeshaw said:
"Work is continuing on selecting the name of the combined business. But the executive's primary objective is to have the business looking and feeling like one company by the end of the year. Beyond that, our future success will be built on sharing and using our combined strengths."
- ENDS -
For further information please contact:
Royal London
Alasdair Buchanan
Group Head of Communications
Tel: 0131 456 7133
Mob: 07919 170 413
Polhill Communications
Jenette Greenwood
Tel: 020 7655 0530
Editor's Notes:
1. The following Head's of Function and Sales Managers have also been announced, reporting directly to the Executive team:
- Tim Thornton, Area Sales Manager North
- Alan Blackburne, Area Sales Manager South
- David Gervais, Head of Sales for Hong Kong and Asia
- Mark Wearmouth, Hong Kong General Manager
- Colin Shopland, Head of Compliance and Legal
- Alistair Brogden, Head of Actuarial
- Douglas Law, Head of Marketing
- Mark Kennett, Head of Investment Dealing
- Terry Kelly, Head of Customer Services
- Cameron Christie, Head of IT
- Richard Wadsworth, Head of Projects
- Sarah Knipe, Financial Controller
- Steve Dening, Chief Underwriter.
2. Royal London Group is a specialist financial service provider. Its businesses focus on those sectors of the market which value quality propositions, operating through a number of brands:
- Scottish Life – UK pensions market
- Bright Grey – UK protection market
- Scottish Provident -- UK protection market
- Phoenix Life Assurance Limited – provides life, investment and pensions products to Abbey's national branch network
- Scottish Life International – offshore investment markets
- Scottish Provident International – offshore investment markets
- RLAM – fund management
- RLAS – life and pensions administration
- Fundsdirect / Ascentric – funds supermarket; Wrap Platform
Royal London is the largest mutual life and pensions company in the UK with Group funds under management of £32.4 billion. Group businesses serve around three million customers and employ 2,750 people. Figures quoted are as at 30 June 2008, prior to the acquisition of Scottish Provident's new business capabilities (in respect of individual life protection business)and of Phoenix Life Assurance Limited.