Cirencester Friendly has made an addition to its senior management team with the appointment of Alak Sharma in the newly created role of director of risk and compliance, subject to regulatory approval.

Sharma, a chartered accountant, originally trained at PricewaterhouseCoopers and she has extensive experience in risk, compliance, governance and internal audit.

Prior to her new appointment, she held the position of risk & compliance director at Brightside Group.

She said: “I’m delighted to be joining Cirencester Friendly at such an exciting period of strategic growth. It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to continue working collaboratively with great people who put Members’ interests at the heart of their decision making.

“I’m looking forward to supporting the Society’s strategic delivery and joining them on what promises to be a very exciting journey.”

Andy Morris, finance director, added: “I am delighted that Alak has chosen to join Cirencester Friendly at this crucial time, as we look to invest in the future of the Society and drive the organisation forward.

“Alak’s extensive experience across risk, compliance, governance and audit will prove invaluable to helping to ensure that this growth is done in a risk-focussed and controlled manner, while supporting the society in its ambitions. She has already demonstrated her ability to fit into our culture and I am sure the society will be enhanced by Alak’s contributions.”