Wesleyan, the financial services specialist for doctors, dentists, teachers and lawyers, has promoted Ahmed Farooq to the new role of managing director of its general insurance brokering business.

Farooq has worked at Wesleyan for five years and was previously head of finance. He moved into general insurance towards the end of 2013 with a brief to grow the business. He will particularly focus on developing Wesleyan’s business-to-business offering.

In his new role Farooq will report into Samantha Porter, group sales and marketing director, and joins Wesleyan’s executive management team.

Porter said: “Ahmed has already made a substantial contribution in establishing Wesleyan’s position as a general insurance broker for our professional customers. He has reviewed the business model and introduced some comprehensive continuous improvement initiatives that have increased the skill base of his staff and led to cost savings. I look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Farooq added: “My finance background has given me a sound understanding of what’s required to successfully manage a business and lead teams. I have a remit to grow our general insurance business. There is significant opportunity for organic growth, particularly within our commercial sector as we look to offer more insurance products to the medical and legal markets, while also considering appropriate merger and acquisitions opportunities.”