Scottish Widows, which recently returned to the intermediary protection market, has held a series of adviser roadshows in Birmingham, Bristol, London and Manchester.

The firm used the events to showcase its new digital platform which gives advisers access to a range of tools, including calculators and a risk analyser, to help them write protection business.

Alun Beynon, the firm’s head of intermediary distribution, protection, and Johnny Timpson, technical & industry affairs manager for protection, oversaw the events.

Beynon said: “It’s important for us to be out speaking to advisers, sharing insight and helping to build a better understanding of how Scottish Widows Protect can help their clients as well as help to build their business.

“Our research has revealed that there’s a huge gap in the number of people providing financial security for their family, or their business, in event of death or serious illness, with only 39% of people considering this as essential, having dropped from more than half in four years. We can help advisers to close this void.”

Launched in October 2015, the Scottish Widows Protect range includes life cover, life with critical illness cover, critical illness cover, whole of life cover and relevant life cover for both individuals and businesses. Support is provided through RedArc to provide practical advice and emotional support to people suffering the effects of serious illness, disability, trauma or bereavement.

The training programme developed for the company’s own business development managers has been formally recognised and CPD accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Emma Thomson, life office relations director at LifeSearch, one of the Scottish Widows Protect launch partners, says that advisers have been impressed by Scottish Widows’ offering.

She said: “Particular praise has been directed at the underwriting service and the expertise of the team, with many of our advisers saying how helpful the underwriters have been, offering sensible decisions and a much welcomed personalised service. Scottish Widows’ return to the intermediary protection market has been very welcome, offering good solutions to our customers and delivering the high levels of service we’re looking for.

“The company has developed a strong proposition and the legacy of its brand can only work well towards building momentum. It’s been a solid launch by a firm we are pleased to be working with again and I very much look forward to seeing Scottish Widows’ proposition develop even further.”