Sesame Bankhall Group has announced the appointment of Emma Thomson in the newly created role of head of protection & general insurance propositions, as it looks to expands its services to advisers.

Thomson (pictured) has over 20 years’ industry experience in a range of protection specialist roles, most recently as product strategist at British Friendly. Prior to that she was life office relationship director at LifeSearch, where she worked for 18 years.

She is also founder and chair of the Women in Protection Network, and former chair of the Protection Distributors Group.

Thomson will take-up her role on 6 April and will be part of Sesame Bankhall Group’s newly formed propositions team, who will drive forward the development and growth of new services for advisers across the mortgage, protection, and wealth markets. She will report into the group’s new propositions director, who will be announced in due course, along with the rest of the propositions team.

Michele Golunska, CEO of Sesame Bankhall Group said: “We have ambitious plans to broaden the services and value we offer to advisers across Sesame, Bankhall and the PMS Mortgage Club. A core part of this is the significant investment we’re making in the creation of a new propositions team. We’ve been searching for talented professionals who understand adviser needs, and emerging consumer and proposition trends.

“I’m delighted that Emma will be part of this exciting new phase of Sesame Bankhall Group’s evolution and growth in services. Emma has brilliant industry relationships and an in-depth knowledge of the protection market, which will be welcomed by mortgage, protection, and wealth advisers, along with our product provider partners.”

Thomson added: “I am delighted to be joining Sesame Bankhall Group. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with a strong leadership team, who are committed to further increasing the focus on protection as part of their drive to continually improve customer outcomes. I’m very much looking forward to sharing my passion for protection with Sesame, Bankhall, and PMS advisers. I’ve also been impressed by the Group’s relationship management ethos, which I believe is something I can contribute to, given my experience working directly with advisers, customers, and insurers to drive positive change for all.”