Protection Distributors Group (PDG) has made board changes following its annual general meeting (AGM) earlier this month.
Alan Lakey, who has been on the board since its inception, stepped down to focus on other business ventures.
He provided technical insight, especially in discussions with analytics and business intelligence (ABI), around critical illness definitions.
Lakey will continue to support the group through Highclere Financial Services.
Emma Thomson, the original chair of the group, will take on the role of vice chair to enhance support for member and sponsor engagement, promote PDG activities, and expand resources for advisers.
Jo Miller, who has supported operations for four years, also stepped down to focus on her other roles, particularly with IPTF and Protection Review.
Charlotte Rogers, protection specialist at Radcliffe & Co, has joined the Board.
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.”
Rogers said: “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.”
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.
McCarthy added: “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.
He said: “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.”
