Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) has announced the appointment of Richard Howells as managing director of Sesame Network.

Howells will take up his new role at the beginning of April and will join the group’s executive team. He will report into group managing director, Martin Schultheiss.

He has 20 years’ industry experience working in a range of executive roles, most recently as director of insurance wealth life & pensions at Experian. Prior to this he spent over seven years at Zurich Financial Services as UK intermediary sales director.

Other senior roles include managing director of strategy & development at Bankhall, along with chief executive of Berkeley Independent Advisers.

Schultheiss said: “With the strong support of our loyal members, 2018 was a very successful year for our group and the advisers we serve. We’re determined to build on this and deliver even greater value, so having a senior leadership team with the right credentials is vital, particularly at a time of rapid economic and technological change.

“Richard’s industry background is ideal for us, combining a successful financial advisory track record in executive roles, with recent years spent working on disruptive digital engagement strategies. Richard will bring fresh thinking to our future plans, helping to ensure our members compete successfully in a digital world.

“Our group is investing in a range of exciting new services that will be built with advisers, for advisers, and with a clear focus on the delivery of great service and good customer outcomes.”

John Cowan, executive chairman, Sesame Bankhall Group, added: “We have worked hard over the last year to assemble a senior team with the right mix of skills, experience and energy to take our business forward onto the next level.

“Following the arrival of Martin as group MD and Ross Liston as MD of Bankhall and PMS, I am really pleased that Richard will now also be joining our executive team as MD of Sesame. Our members are in safe hands and will benefit from his strategic thinking as we develop and roll-out the next generation of adviser services.”

Howells said: “I’m very excited to be taking up such a prominent and important role leading the Sesame Network. SBG is investing heavily in the future of professional advice and there are exciting times ahead for its members.

“I can’t wait to start working with the team to help strengthen our member relationships further, and develop a new range of compelling propositions, as well as ensuring that Sesame champions the valuable service delivered to customers by its mortgage and protection firms.”