Vicky Churcher, who recently retired as intermediary director and business transformation lead at AIG Life, has been appointed as a non-executive director at Cirencester Friendly.
Churcher joins Janice Banks, previously the senior independent director, who now takes on the role as chairperson.
“They both bring a wealth of experience to their new roles and the appointments demonstrate the Society’s ambition to progress, harnessing the very best expertise in the sector,” Cirencester Friendly said.
Churcher has worked in financial services and insurance for more than 35 years, at companies such as Bupa, Ageas and most recently AIG Life, until her retirement in March.
Her recent roles focused on enhancing the customer experience and transformation, helping businesses to navigate the changing needs of customers and the effective use of system thinking.
Churcher said: “I am delighted to be joining Cirencester Friendly’s board as a non-executive director and taking on a fresh challenge. This is my first role with a mutual and I look forward to upholding their core values, helping to make protection accessible to more people.
“I am excited to be joining The Society now as they focus on growing the business and I look forward to helping to take the organisation to new heights,” she said.
Janice Banks has been a non-executive director with Cirencester Friendly since January 2016. She is the second woman to take the position of chairperson in the Society’s 133-year history.
Banks said: “Over the last seven and half years I have been proud to be part of the board, overseeing the Society’s evolution to meet the changing needs of modern society.
“I look forward to helping to raise the profile of the organisation further, ensuring they can protect the livelihoods of even more individuals at a time when it’s needed more than ever.”
Andy Morris, chief executive officer of Cirencester Friendly said: “I am delighted to welcome Vicky to our board. She is one of the most respected voices in the protection industry and her in-depth knowledge of the sector will be of enormous value to Cirencester Friendly.
“Her appointment further enhances our reputation and shows we’re serious about becoming an active leader in the income protection market.”
He was also thrilled that Banks had become the new chairperson.
“We have an excellent working partnership and as a long-serving non-executive director, she has built a strong connection to the Society, providing vital guidance and support,” he said.