Friends Life, a provider of life assurance and pensions products, has named John Van Der Wielen as managing director of international.
The company’s international division comprises Friends Provident International (FPI) based in the UK and the Isle of Man.
In his role, Wielen will also oversee fpb, FPI’s German distribution company, Lombard the Group’s Luxembourg based pan European wealth planning business for ultra high net worth customers and AmLife, the life insurance subsidiary of AmBank Group, which operates in Malaysia, in which Friends Life owns a 30% stake.
Wielen will report directly to the CEO, Andy Briggs, and will become a member of the group executive committee.
Prior to joining Friends Life, Wielen joins was managing director of wealth for Australia-based ANZ Banking Corporation.
He has more than 20 years of international experience in the financial services industry covering life and pensions, general insurance, wealth management and banking, in particular as CEO of HBOS Financial Services.
Briggs said John has a wealth of experience in financial services, gained both in the UK and overseas. This means that he is able to hit the ground running and deliver on the objectives that have been set for the international business.