Vicky Churcher is to join the Income Protection Task Force (IPTF) as co-chairwoman from the start of the year.
The former intermediary director of AIG Life and current non-executive director at Cirencester Friendly succeeds Katie Crook-Davies who is stepping down from her role at the end of this year.
Churcher will sit alongside Jo Miller and Andrew Wibberley.
Churcher (pictured) said she was delighted to be asked to co-chair the IPTF.
“Ensuring more consumers have a regular income in the event of sickness or disability is something I have always been passionate about and was a big supporter many years ago of the successful IPTF Seven Families project,” she said.
“I hope to add a new provider and distributor lens to the IPTF’s activity to build on the great work Jo, Andrew and Katie are doing and focus on adding real tangible value to members, including observing and supporting the new Consumer Duty guidelines.
“I am sorry not to be working with Katie and wish her every success in her new venture. I very much look forward to working with Jo and Andrew as we prepare for 2024 to grow both the IPTF membership and the income protection market.”
Crook-Davies said it had been a “fantastic experience” being part of the IPTF leadership for the last three years.
“I feel immensely proud of what we as a group, with our members, have achieved in the income protection space over that time,“ she said.
“I’ll forever be passionate about growing the protection market, and I feel confident that our work at the IPTF has contributed to this, but I also believe there’s opportunity for significant growth through the reimagining of business-critical infrastructure in our industry.
“For this reason, my primary focus in 2024 will be on growing the reach and impact of our new financial modelling software solution, t+1.
“Vicky comes with a wealth of experience in the protection market and will bring a fresh perspective to the IPTF, so I can’t think of a better person to pass the mantle to.
“While I’m stepping down as co-chair, I will always be around to support the IPTF and the leadership team and I would like to wish the three co-chairs every success for 2024 and beyond.”
Miller said: “It’s been so rewarding working with Katie these last three years, and we are so grateful to her for her contribution to growing the IPTF and the impact we have seen on the market.
“As we strive for even more growth, both in the IPTF membership but also in IP sales, it is great to have someone with Vicky’s experience, passion and drive joining to help us enhance our member offering and take the organisation forward.”
Wibberley added: “We feel privileged to get the chance to replace one exceptional individual with another. Katie has been central to the evolution of the IPTF and to much of the bold work we have delivered in the last three years.
“I am now really excited to work with Jo, Vicky and an ever increasing band of members to help place IP at the centre of adviser and customer mindsets in the future.”
The IPTF added it will be presenting its 2024 plans to existing and prospective members on 21 November online and anyone interested in attending should contact it.