Income protection specialist Cirencester Friendly has announced the appointment of Andy Morris as CEO, subject to regulatory approval.

The news follows seven-month search and selection process.

Morris (pictured) will take up the position on the planned retirement of Paul Hudson, who has been the Society’s CEO since 1997.

Morris is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants with more than 25 years’ experience across financial services, holding senior positions within Nationwide, RBS and Leek United Building Society, before joining Cirencester as finance director in April 2019.

The search for a new finance director has begun.

Hudson said: “As my time as chief executive of Cirencester Friendly draws to a close I am very proud of what we have managed to achieve since I arrived back in 1997. What an incredible journey it has been growing the business significantly in that time.

“I have been lucky enough to have worked alongside very many fantastic people who have shared my vision to deliver great protection products to many tens of thousands of customers. It has been a real team effort at Cirencester Friendly and we are a very different business to the one I joined all those years ago but continue to embrace the customer centric mutual ideals on which we were founded back in 1890.

“I leave a wonderfully capable group of people and I am confident the Society will continue to prosper in the years to come. The time comes for everyone to hand over and that time has now arrived for me to pass the baton to new leadership.”

Morris said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead Cirencester Friendly on the next stage of its journey. I am a passionate believer in mutuality and all that the Society can offer to our members, with a really exciting and rewarding time ahead as we look to further develop and grow the business.

“To echo Paul’s words, we have a dedicated team who collaborate successfully together and look to build on all that has been achieved in the recent past. My thanks to the board, our exceptional people and especially Paul for all his hard work and commitment, setting up a robust foundation from which we can look forward to the Society’s long-term future with optimism and confidence.”