Lloyds Banking Group has announced that Esther Dijkstra will be its new director of strategic partnerships from 1 December.

She is currently the head of intermediary protection at Scottish Widows where she has been instrumental in the launch of ‘Scottish Widows Protect’ into the intermediary market, which went live this month.

Dijkstra began her career in management consultancy with IBM in the Netherlands and moved to the UK in 2000. She previously worked for Legal & General where she was commercial and marketing director of the L&G Network and UK Mortgage Club.

Ian Wilson, currently interim director of strategic partnerships, will return to his role as head of Halifax Intermediaries once a handover has been completed.

Mike Jones, managing director of intermediaries & specialist brands, said: “We are delighted Esther will be taking up this key role within the Group. Esther is already very well known and respected in the mortgage market from both her previous mortgage roles and her most recent work in successfully launching Scottish Widows Protect, a key strategic growth initiative for Lloyds Banking Group.

“I’d also like to express my thanks for the support of the current team who have done a fantastic job in continuing to drive the business forward.”