Aegon has expanded its protection sales team with the appointment of a new distribution development director and a head of protection sales.

Chris Hopkinson joins from LV where he led the protection sales team for seven years. As distribution development director, he will be tasked with strengthen existing, and drive new, strategic protection partnerships in the adviser channel, creating value for Aegon and its adviser partners.

Jon Fuller also joins from LV. As head of protection sales, he will be responsible for leading the face to face sales delivery into the adviser channel but one of his first responsibilities will be to grow the protection sales team by recruiting two new protection consultants.

Both join in August and will report to Dougy Grant, protection director.

Grant said: “I’m delighted to welcome Chris and Jon to the team in August. We have exciting and ambitious plans for the growth of our protection business and attracting talented professionals like them to an already strong team is key to achieving these plans.

“These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to our protection business and I look forward to working with Chris and Jon as we enlarge our team and realise our ambitions.”