Answers in Retirement Group (AIR Group) has announced the recruitment of two senior appointments.

During the first quarter of 2019, AIR Group will be joined by a new operations director and a new commercial director who will be charged with developing the overall group proposition, specifically focusing on the benefits available to members and users.

In January, Mike Taylor will join AIR Group as operations director. Taylor (pictured) has held a number of senior positions within financial services businesses, most recently as operations director at Holloway Friendly and director of underwriting at Unum.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of February, Gary Little will be taking up the position of commercial director. He is currently the sales director at Blacks Connect and has previously been the commercial director at the TMA mortgage club, and head of operations & membership at the Chartered Insurance Institute/Society of Mortgage Professionals.

Stuart Wilson, chief executive officer of Answers In Retirement Group, said: “These two senior appointments are indications of our corporate ambition to drive forward the growth of the group, with special focus on member benefits. After a record-breaking 2018 for the AIR Group, we are positioned for strong strategic growth and are investing heavily in the right people who have been selected from a stellar list of applicants.

“Mike and Gary have been chosen because of their broad corporate management experience at senior level and their shared passion for consumer outcome in our sector. We look forward to welcoming them on board during the first quarter of this year and are confident they’ll be considerable assets to the business.”