Guardian has announced changes to its leadership team.

Simon Davis is currently taking an extended sabbatical for personal reasons. During this time, he has stepped down from his director duties and Katya MacLean (pictured) has been appointed as interim CEO.

Peter Mann, former chairman, will take the role of executive chairman.

Mann said: “Guardian has seen huge demand for its proposition at a strategic level. The number of major distribution agreements we’ve secured in our first nine months of trading is an acceleration of our original business plan.

“With this rapid take-up, there has been an associated increase in onboarding and servicing requirements, so we have refocused the team to meet these new objectives.

He continued: “I’m delighted to see Katya promoted; she has a fantastic reputation at Guardian. I look forward to supporting the team as executive chairman as we take the business on to further success.”