Graham Singleton has been appointed as the new CEO of National Friendly, the Bristol-based insurer specialising in health and protection insurance markets.

Singleton is a qualified actuary with over 35 years’ experience in the UK life & pensions financial services industry. He started his career in life and pensions marketing, progressing to hold chief actuary and financial officer roles in various companies  before becoming CEO of the Phoenix Resolution Life Companies, and latterly CEO of Swiss Re’s UK insurer, Reassure Limited, together with its life and pensions outsourcing business, Admin Re Limited.

Singleton said: “National Friendly has a fantastic mutual heritage and I am very proud to have the opportunity to lead it at a time when the social need for the products and solutions which National Friendly specialise in has probably never been greater.

“We are and will continue to be innovative in our approach to meeting clear insurance needs, underpinned by excellent member service.”

Geoff Brown, National Friendly’s newly appointed chair, added: “Graham joined National Friendly’s board as a non-executive director in December 2019 and had stepped in as interim CEO, following the sad and untimely passing of Jonathan Long in December 2020.

“We are delighted to have appointed Graham to the permanent CEO role – his knowledge of the Society coupled with significant market knowledge and expertise mean that the Society will continue its ambition to strongly grow its membership delivering value for money sickness and health products and services firmly underpinned by the mutual ethos.”