Ross Liston exits Sesame Bankhall, John Cowan steps in as interim CEO

Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) interim CEO Ross Liston has left the business after four years, he will be replaced on an interim basis by SBG chair John Cowan.

Liston first joined the group in November 2018 and took over the role of interim CEO in July this year after Michele Golunska moved to SBG parent company Aviva to become its managing director for wealth and advice.

Prior to his time with SBG he spent 26 years with Standard Life Aberdeen.

Cowan will now take over the day-to-day running of the business while also leading the search for a new permanent CEO.

Once a permanent CEO has been appointed, Cowan will revert to being chair again.

Cowan has a long history with SBG. He became executive chair in 2014 and has been chair since 2020.

Cowan said: “We are very grateful to Ross for the contribution he has made to the business over the last four years and wish him all the best for the future.

“SBG is a fantastic organisation full of brilliant people doing important work to ensure we remain the UK’s leading provider of adviser support services.

“Whoever takes over the permanent CEO role will be taking the reins of a company that is financially strong, forward-thinking, ambitious and a leading voice in our sector.

“We are only after the best and therefore we are prepared to take our time to ensure that we get the right person for the job.”

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