Former CEO and group distribution director leaves; new hires and promotions announced
Later life lending platform Air has made changes to its senior leadership team, following the decision of Stuart Wilson (pictured left), the founder and current chairman of Air Club, to leave Key Group at the end of the month.
Wilson, who founded Air in 2007 and served as chief executive for nearly 15 years, will start a consultancy business focused on the later life lending sector.
“The time is right for me to step back from Air,” Wilson said. “I am in the process of setting up a consultancy business and look forward to providing support to lenders and distributors who are operating or intend to step into the later-life lending market.
“This is a dynamic and exciting sector, and I feel the time is right to return to a frontline role and want to pivot my skills to support firms across this sector as it faces into a hugely exciting period. I remain committed to ensuring that positive customer outcomes stay at the forefront of the later-life lending conversation.”
Paul Glynn (pictured right), chief executive of Air Group, credited Wilson for his contributions to Air and to the later life lending market.
“His knowledge and experience are exceptional, and I know his consultancy support to the market going forward will be superb,” Glynn said. “The whole team at Air send him our best wishes.”
Jon Tweed, group distribution director, will also leave the company to pursue new opportunities. With over 23 years of experience, he shaped Air’s distribution strategy and emphasised affordability in client conversations.
“Since joining Air Group as a consultant in 2020, I’ve seen firsthand how a truly mobilised and innovative later life lending platform can make real breakthroughs in compliance, lead generation, marketing, and training and development,” Tweed said. “But now is the time for me to move on to other opportunities. The later life lending market is an ever-changing space, and I look forward to seeing the company continue to thrive.”
Glynn also bid farewell to Tweed, who, according to him, “has become an essential source of wisdom and insight during a time of seismic change in the later-life lending market.”
“He will be missed, and we are fortunate that he will remain a close ally in the coming years,” he said.
New hires and promotions were also announced, with Alec Parkinson joining as director of sales operations and Shazia Iqbal getting promoted to the role of director of marketing.
Previously customer engagement director at Key, Parkinson brings over a decade of experience in the later life lending market, while Iqbal – with over 20 years of experience in financial services – will continue to drive Air’s Comprehensive Conversations manifesto and support members in a changing lending landscape.
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