Friends Life poaches Ageas' head of sales

Friends Life has made two senior protection appointments including poaching Ageas’ head of sales.

The Resolution backed provider has recruited a new sales and marketing director for its individual business and a director for its group risk arm.

Mark Anders has been appointed sales and marketing director for individual protection, with David Williams becoming director of group protection.

Both roles will report to Steve Payne, managing director of UK protection (pictured).

Mark Anders joins from Ageas, where he was head of sales, and will take up his role at the beginning of May.

He will be responsible for all sales and marketing activity for Friends Life's individual protection business.

David Williams is currently finance director for protection at the provider and has been charged with driving the new group protection proposition launched last year.

Steve Payne, managing director of protection at Friends Life, said the appointments will significantly strengthen the businesses leadership for both the individual and group markets.

"Mark Anders has considerable experience in the protection industry and will play an influential role as we continue to build on our distribution partnerships," he said.

"The launch of Friends Life Protect+ in the IFA market places our business in a very strong position and I am confident that Mark will help us to enhance this.

"David Williams will provide strong, dedicated leadership for group protection as he has considerable experience of the market.

"David has been closely involved with the development of our new group protection claim proposition and has been instrumental in enabling the business to grow significantly over the last 12 months," he added.