Johnny Timpson has been appointed financial services sector ambassador for bereavement support service GriefChat.
Timpson will be tasked with helping the organisation partner with financial services firms to improve vulnerable customer support, experience, and outcomes.
GriefChat offers professional support through grief with a qualified bereavement counsellor.
Since founding in 2018 the firm said it has delivered more than 65,000 therapeutic chats with professional bereavement counsellors.
Timpson has more than 40 years financial services experience, including as former cabinet office disability and access ambassador, and is currently a member of the prime minister’s champion group for dementia communities.
He is also a member of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, the Financial Inclusion Commission, the Protection Distributors Group, and on the steering committee for the Group for Autism, Insurance and Neurodiversity.
Timpson (pictured) said he was honoured to be appointed as ambassador for the organisation.
“The past 21 months have been an incredibly challenging time with a significant increase in bereavement with many people experiencing the loss of more than one family member, friend, colleague or client,” he said.
“This has resulted in increased vulnerability and need for both support and importantly, professional bereavement counselling.
“This has also been recognised by government which has established a Bereavement Commission.”
GriefChat founder and managing director Catherine Betley said the firm was looking forward to working with Timpson.
“He shares our belief that professional bereavement support should always be accessible and free to those in need,” she said.
“Johnny will assist us to support organisations in helping those dealing with bereaved and vulnerable customers, by providing them with a safe space to be able to share their story, explore their feelings and be supported by a qualified bereavement counsellor.
“In addition to this, GriefChat helps bereaved people to consider if they need additional support and where to get this from.”