"Jacqui’s contributions have been extremely valuable and we’re very sorry to see her go. However, all good things must come to an end."
- Peter Mann, Interim CEO of Guardian Financial Services
According to Peter Mann, Interim CEO of Guardian Financial Services (Guardian), for the last six years, the provider has concentrated its efforts on rapid growth; “through the launch of products designed to give customers certainty at point of claim while growing its distribution footprint to the point that it’s now on all the major advised protection panels.”
Given this position, Guardian plans to move into the next phase of its journey, “where it will focus on deepening quality relationships with firms and advisers that, like Guardian, are passionate about delivering good customer outcomes.”
He said: “When you consider that in that time, there’s been a pandemic and [an ongoing] Cost-of-Living Crisis, this is a truly remarkable achievement. Now our business is maturing, and mindful of the current macroeconomic headwinds, it’s the right time to move away from a focus on rapid growth, to one of consolidation.
“We still intend to grow and buck the current overall trend of falling protection sales, however, there’s also significant value to unlock from the distribution footprint and product set we’ve built. The strategy we’ve laid out for 2025 will focus on maximising value while we continue to deliver force behind the brand that advisers know and love today, as well as its two most recent product launches,” Peter continued.
In addition, Guardian announced the departure of Jacqui Gillies, Marketing & Proposition Director. She joined Guardian in 2016 as Head of Marketing but was promoted after just over three years in the role. Over the years, Jacqui has worked as an Investment Marketing Strategist at Prudential Assurance, Head of Marketing at Royal London, Group Pensions Marketing Manager at Scottish Equitable, and Brand Manager at Scottish Mutual, amongst others.
She said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to have been part of Guardian’s hugely exciting journey from launching the brand back in 2018, to developing our Income Protection (IP) and Life Essentials propositions to bolster Guardian’s menu and provide greater choice for advisers and their customers."
Jacqui will leave Guardian at the end of December, at which time her direct reports will turn to Hilary Banks, Commercial Director.
“It’s been an honour to see first-hand, as we’ve grown, how our innovative approach has helped so many customers. After eight years with Guardian and a forty-two-year career in Financial Services, which incidentally started at Guardian in 1982 when it was known as GRE, I’m ready to let the team take on this new strategy for 2025,” Jacqui concluded.
