AEGON has made two key appointments in its distribution business, which comprises its two independent financial adviser businesses, Origen and Positive Solutions.

Iain Black has been appointed as chief operating officer, distribution. He will report to AEGON UK chief executive Otto Thoresen and will work with Origen managing director Stephen Greenstreet and Positive Solutions chief executive Jim Reeve in implementing their agreed strategy.

Black has previously led a number of key business development projects within the AEGON UK group, including the launch and development of its Dublin business, and subsequently two years as operations director of AEGON Ireland. Most recently he was managing director of AEGON’s group risk business.

Patrick Gale has been appointed chairman of the distribution Board, the non-executive board which oversees AEGON’s distribution businesses. He was chief executive of Sesame Group from 2000-2007.

The appointments follow the announcement last week that AEGON UK chief executive Otto Thoresen has restructured the AEGON UK business, creating two separate management boards – one for the life and pensions business and the other for the distribution business, each with a chief operating officer responsible for the operational delivery of strategy in each business. Last week, Adrian Grace was confirmed as chief operating officer, life and pensions.

Otto Thoresen said: “The Retail distribution Review brings challenges for our adviser businesses and it is essential that we push through the same focus on delivery against strategy in Origen and Positive Solutions