Ian Leech has been appointed sales and agency director of NFU Mutual.

He has also joined the main board of the Group.

Leech previously held the position of general manager sales, and has taken over from operations director Alan Harris, who retires in June 2011.

His role is to focus on continuing the development of NFU Mutual’s General Insurance and Life businesses in a way that delivers sustainable, profitable growth.

Lindsay Sinclair, group chief executive for NFU Mutual, said: “Ian has a successful track record on both the life and general insurance side of our business. He already has experience delivering great service through our network of more than 300 local offices across the UK.