Richard Howells is stepping down as managing director of LSL Group’s financial services division, which includes its Primis protection and mortgage network.
Howells, who has been MD since February 2024, will be succeeded on an interim basis by Piotr Nowosad.
Moving from Sesame Bankhall Group, Howells (pictured) initially joined as financial services chief operating officer in the autumn of 2023 before stepping up to lead LSL’s financial services division as managing director at the end of February the following year.
Nowosad will now lead the financial services division, with overall responsibility for Primis, TMA Mortgage Club, Novium and Linear, while the board seeks to appoint a permanent managing director.
He joins with more than a decade of executive leadership experience managing large businesses across highly regulated sectors, including financial services and energy.
The firm said he will spend his first weeks meeting advisers, distribution partners and colleagues across the business as he shapes the next stage of the division’s growth.
LSL noted that Howells had led the division through an “important” period of transition and laying the foundations for this next phase of growth. He will support Nowosad with a handover before leaving at the end of the month.
Nowosad said: “This is an exciting time for our industry. The role of professional advice has never been more important. Customers need expert guidance to navigate an increasingly complex market, protection remains a significant opportunity to improve customer outcomes, and technology is creating new ways to help advisers grow their businesses and spend more time with clients.
“My ambition is to change up a gear. That means making our advisers even more successful by improving productivity, investing in technology and delivering even greater value through the strength of our partnerships.
“We won’t be changing direction so much as building on the strong foundations already in place and accelerating that momentum.
“Over the coming weeks I’ll be meeting advisers, distribution partners and colleagues across the division. The people closest to our business know where we can make the biggest difference, and I want to hear their views.
“We’ll listen carefully, make clear decisions and focus on the practical improvements that help our advisers, partners and customers succeed.
“I’m incredibly optimistic about the future. We have a market-leading platform, exceptional brands, talented people and a tremendous opportunity to shape the future of mortgage and protection advice in the UK.”
