Following the AGM earlier this month, the Protection Distributors Groups has announced several board changes with effect from Jan 1st, 2025.
Alan Lakey, a board member since the inception of the PDG, has stepped down from the board to concentrate on other business areas. Alan has provided detailed technical insight, particularly in discussions with ABI where his detailed product knowledge and insight into CI definitions has proved invaluable. Alan remains a member of the PDG and will continue to support activity through Highclere Financial Services.
Emma Thomson, who was the original chair of the PDG, becomes Vice Chair in a newly introduced role to provide wider support to the group. Emma will be focussed on member and sponsor engagement, promotion of PDG activities and expanding resources to help advisers, in addition to her usual involvement in PDG initiatives.
Emma Thomson said: “Being a board member is a privilege and I’m proud to have contributed to initiatives such as the Claims Charter which we know has a positive impact on customers. I’m delighted to be appointed as Vice Chair to help drive forward even further our work to improve customer outcomes.”
Charlotte Rogers, protection specialist at Radcliffe & Co, has joined the Board. Charlotte commented: “I’m delighted to join the board and support the PDG in continuing to improve customer outcomes. The work the PDG has done already is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to using my passion for protection to help make a real difference to the Protection Market. As the PDG continues to grow, I’m excited to see what further difference we can make especially around delivering better customer outcomes and educating fellow advisers.”
Jo Miller, who has provided operational support to the group is also stepping down after four years to focus on her other roles, particularly the IPTF and Protection Review.
Neil McCarthy, PDG Chair, said: “2025 looks like being another busy year for the PDG. We are still understanding and reacting to how the Consumer Duty is being embedded and embraced by protection distributors. The FCA Market Study will start to get more detailed output, and the potential ramifications will be considered to see how they impact on ensuring positive consumer outcomes.
“We will be working with insurers to release the 2025 claims charter, and I’m hoping that more insurers will be able to sign up to its terms and deliver consistently high service standards in the areas they control. We are currently undertaking a new project to try and agree some standardisation of Management Information to support the Product Governance demands that could potentially take out significant duplication in the market.
“We also want to help more people find the protection they need by encouraging insurers and intermediaries to deliver better consumer outcomes. By providing resources, education and advocacy the PDG strives to raise the standard of service and advice in the sector, ensuring customers are well informed and properly protected.”
