How we run Holloway Friendly

Ben is our Chief Executive Officer and joined the Board in June 2024. Ben has had a 27-year career in financial services having worked for Aviva, Virgin Money, Coutts and Barclays. In the latter stages of his career, he made the transition into the mutual sector having been Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Unity Friendly Society between 2017 to 2021 and Director at the Oddfellows between 2021 to 2024. Ben brings expertise across a range of different disciplines including strategic planning, operations, sales, marketing and governance. Ben is a strong believer in mutuality and has served on the Board of the Association of Financial Mutuals. Ben is a qualified financial adviser, investment manager and marketeer, whilst also holding certificates in project management and business efficiency.

Derek joined the Board in February 2017. Derek’s an actuary and has worked in the life insurance industry as a practitioner and as a consultant. Derek was the chief actuary of Laurentian Life in Gloucester until its sale in 1995. After this, he joined Deloitte LLP where he set up its UK actuarial practice and became a partner of Deloitte in 1999. From 2011 until his retirement in 2015, Derek led the Canadian actuarial practice of Deloitte. Much of Derek’s time at Deloitte was spent on audit and risk consulting activities to the insurance industry.

Adrian joined the Board in November 2015. Adrian’s previous roles include chair of the protection business within JLT Benefits Consulting practice. He’s a specialist in corporate healthcare and risk provision. Adrian was an independent non-executive director of Benenden Healthcare. Adrian previously spent 15 years of his career working for Western Provident Association (‘WPA’), a not-for-profit health insurer. For 10 years, he was the Managing Director of WPA’s Corporate Division. Before this, he worked for the management consultant Arthur D. Little Inc.

Anna is the Senior Independent Director and joined the Board in November 2015. Anna is a solicitor and has practiced at Eversheds and a financial services company. Anna was the chair of the Dudley Building Society, and Vice Chair at Midland Heart Housing Association, as well as chairing its audit committee. She was a non-executive director at Entrust which is a national regulator. Anna has held a number of NHS Board roles and was a governor of King Edwards School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Lynzi joined the Board in February 2022. Lynzi is an experienced Executive and Non-Executive Director who has previously held Executive roles at LV= and Quilter plc and its predecessor firms, Old Mutual Wealth and Skandia. Lynzi now holds a portfolio of Non-Executive Director positions in a number of Financial Services firms. She brings a wealth of experience including risk, governance, finance and change all acquired in the financial services industry.

Dave is an actuary with over 30 years’ experience in the life insurance industry and brings a strong mix of financial, actuarial and operational skills. During the last 14 years he has been a board member of various life companies. From 2010 to 2016 he was Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of AXA UK Life and between 2017 and 2019 he was CFO for Phoenix Life.

Andrew joined the Board in February 2022. Andrew is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute with over 30 years’ experience in the financial services sector. Andrew recently retired from Cirencester Friendly where he was Company Secretary and Head of Compliance, having previously held senior roles at Engage Mutual. Andrew was previously a Non-Executive Director at The Chorley & District Building Society where he had been Vice-Chair of the Society and Chair of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee. Andrew is the Board’s Consumer Duty Champion.

Suzy has worked in the financial services sector for over 32 years and over the last 20 years in a range of leadership roles. She’s best known for transforming operations to improve the financial and operational performance. She enjoys identifying opportunities for improvement and growth, creating a clear and engaging strategy to drive the business forward. She thrives on leading, motivating, and inspiring people to do exceptional things. Her relentless focus to achieve better quality, value and customer outcomes in protection products and distribution methods has led her to improve customer experience in business change, digital transformation, and professional services, with a track record of executing strategic initiatives. Seeking and bringing to life new opportunities to support business growth is what excites her the most and her strong relationships with key industry leaders, has enabled her to open new opportunities to grow the protection market. She’s excited to explore new customer journeys; digital, guided and fully advised. She believes innovative distribution is the way we will grow the protection market and how we will succeed to provide a sustainable business that provides protection to as many people as possible.