LSL Financial Services has appointed Piotr Nowosad as interim managing director to lead its Financial Services Division while the group searches for a permanent successor.
Nowosad (pictured) takes responsibility for Primis, TMA Mortgage Club, Novium and Linear, joining the business with more than a decade of executive leadership experience across highly regulated sectors, including financial services and energy.
He succeeds Richard Howells, who is stepping down after overseeing a period of transition for the division. Howells will remain with the business until the end of the month to support the handover.
Nowosad is expected to spend his first weeks meeting advisers, distribution partners and colleagues across the business as he develops the next phase of the division’s strategy.
LSL Financial Services supports around 2,600 advisers across Primis, TMA, Novium and Linear and says it facilitates around 12% of the UK mortgage purchase and remortgage market. The division also arranges protection policies worth around £60 million annual premium equivalent each year and works with more than 130 lender and provider partners.
Piotr Nowosad, interim managing director of LSL Financial Services, said: “This is an exciting time for our industry. The role of professional advice has never been more important.
“Customers need expert guidance to navigate an increasingly complex market, protection remains a significant opportunity to improve customer outcomes, and technology is creating new ways to help advisers grow their businesses and spend more time with clients.
“LSL Financial Services is uniquely placed to lead that opportunity. We have outstanding businesses in Primis, TMA, Novium and Linear, exceptional colleagues, deep relationships with lenders and providers, and one of the strongest adviser propositions.
“My ambition is to change up a gear. That means making our advisers even more successful by improving productivity, investing in technology and delivering even greater value through the strength of our partnerships.
“We won’t be changing direction so much as building on the strong foundations already in place and accelerating that momentum.
“Over the coming weeks I’ll be meeting advisers, distribution partners and colleagues across the division. The people closest to our business know where we can make the biggest difference, and I want to hear their views.
“We’ll listen carefully, make clear decisions and focus on the practical improvements that help our advisers, partners and customers succeed.
“I’m incredibly optimistic about the future. We have a market-leading platform, exceptional brands, talented people and a tremendous opportunity to shape the future of mortgage and protection advice in the UK.”
The appointment comes as LSL Financial Services looks to expand its mortgage and protection distribution businesses at a time when demand for professional advice is expected to remain strong amid increasing borrowing complexity and continued investment in adviser technology.
