Sesame Bankhall Group chief operating officer George Higginson has been promoted to the position of chief executive officer, subject to FSA approval.

He will take on a wider remit with responsibility for driving forward group operations.

Ivan Martin will continue in his active full time role as executive chairman of Sesame Bankhall Group, working closely with Higginson to provide oversight of group activities, particularly in relation to the financial control and strategic development of the business.

Higginson will take on greater group responsibility for regulatory and operational activity. Risk director Michael Couzens and Lisa Winnard, director of HR and development, will now report into Higginson. Finance Director Paul Hooper will continue to report into Martin.

Martin said: “Through tough market conditions our group has remained strong and successful. This is enabling us to invest in exciting new services to help our members and customers to prosper in the future. In his first year with the group George has been integral to developing our future strategy and driving the business forward.