Sesame Bankhall appoints George Higginson as CEO

George 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 George to provide oversight of group activities, particularly in relation to the financial control and strategic development of the business.

George 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 George. Finance director Paul Hooper will continue to report into Ivan.

Sesame Bankhall Group's executive chairman Ivan 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. I will continue to work closely with George and the team to ensure that we leverage our scale and consolidate our position as the UK’s leading provider of adviser support.”

George Higginson, chief executive officer, commented: “These are exciting times and I am proud to be leading such a strong and experienced team of people.

“Our profession is evolving and so are we. In the face of ever-increasing regulatory standards, we are helping advisers to trade efficiently and responsibly. We are striving to improve and expand our range of services to give advisers all the options they need, so that firms can choose and blend the support that suits their business and their clients, whatever their business model.

“We will make sure that our customers are in the strongest possible position post-RDR and will help them to secure a successful long-term future.”