Bríd Meaney will join Royal London next year, succeeding Bernie Hickman.

Over a third of employees are considered financially fragile, Royal London reports.

Louise Gelling (pictured) will join Royal London next month, subject to regulatory approval.

Royal London’s updated income protection offering includes a child illness and loss benefit.

Royal London reported a 98.4% payout rate last year. 

Around one million protection customers will receive the updated annual communications during 2026, with emails signposting customers back to their adviser.

The changes are designed to align its income protection classes with a shifting career landscape.

Royal London has joined CIExpert’s Income Protection Insight Zone, becoming the eighth insurer to be included in the platform.

Advisers are reporting a sharp rise in client anxiety ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget on 26 November, according to new research from Royal London and the Lang Cat.

In 2024, Royal London paid over £751mn in Life Insurance, Terminal Illness, Whole of Life (WOL), Critical Illness (CI), and Income Protection (IP) claims.