Air, the later-life lending platform, has introduced a refreshed senior leadership team as founder and chairman Stuart Wilson departs.
Paul Glynn and Mike Taylor (MD) will lead the company into 2024 and beyond, while Wilson departs to start a consultancy focused on later-life lending. His departure will see him remain close to Air, supporting member firms.
Group distribution director Jon Tweed is also leaving to pursue new sector opportunities, having shaped Air’s distribution strategy and emphasised affordability in client discussions.
New appointments include Alec Parkinson as director of sales operations and Shazia Iqbal as director of marketing. Parkinson, with a decade of experience in later-life lending, will expand Air’s consultant team. Iqbal, promoted from within, will enhance Air’s marketing efforts and support the Comprehensive Conversations initiative.
Paul Glynn, CEO at Air Group, said: “Stuart’s contribution to Air and the whole later life lending market has been amazing. His knowledge and experience are exceptional, and I know his consultancy support to the market going forward will be superb.
“The whole team at Air send him our best wishes. We must also say goodbye to Jon, who in a short time has become an essential source of wisdom and insight during a time of seismic change in the later-life lending market. He will be missed, and we are fortunate that he will remain a close ally in the coming years.”
Wilson said: “The time is right for me to step back from Air. I am in the process of setting up a consultancy business and look forward to providing support to lenders and distributors who are operating or intend to step into the later-life lending market.
“This is a dynamic and exciting sector, and I feel the time is right to return to a frontline role and want to pivot my skills to support firms across this sector as it faces into a hugely exciting period.
“I remain committed to ensuring that positive customer outcomes stay at the forefront of the later-life lending conversation. I am so very proud of what the team at Air continues to achieve.
“The breadth and depth of the proposition they offer their members and corporate partners is second to none. Working alongside such industry heavyweights as Jon was a rich privilege and a career highlight.
“I wish Paul Glynn and his team the very best and know that we will maintain a close relationship going forward.”
Tweed added: “Since joining Air Group as a consultant in 2020, I’ve seen firsthand how a truly mobilised and innovative later-life lending platform can make real breakthroughs in compliance, lead generation, marketing, and training & development.
“But now is the time for me to move on to other opportunities. The later-life lending market is an ever-changing space, and I look forward to seeing the company continue to thrive.”
