Firms tap experienced leaders to drive UK market ambitions
Two financial services firms have announced key appointments to their leadership teams, signalling strategic intent to strengthen operations in the UK. Allianz UK, a major player in the insurance market, has appointed Sarah Watts (pictured, left) as partnerships director, while bridging lender Kuflink has named Gurmit Raina (pictured, right) as its new chief financial officer.
Allianz strengthens retail insurance team with appointment
Allianz UK has appointed Watts as partnerships director as part of its effort to enhance its personal lines retail leadership team and support continued growth in the UK insurance market.
Watts will lead the strategy, development, and expansion of Allianz’s partnerships division, which works with intermediaries, affinity partners, banks and building societies. She had held the role on an interim basis and previously led the insurer’s intermediary sales and marketing teams.
With more than 25 years of experience in the personal lines market, Watts brings expertise in managing partner relationships across the financial services sector.
“I’m excited for what this means for our personal lines partnerships business. We see a big opportunity to grow our presence in the UK insurance market, which is a key part of our wider strategy of focused expansion,” said Henry Topham, managing director of retail insurance at Allianz UK.
Kuflink names Raina as CFO to support expansion strategy
Gravesend-based national bridging lender Kuflink has appointed Gurmit Raina as chief financial officer.
Raina, who had recently served as a finance consultant for Kuflink, has joined the board of directors under the leadership of CEO and co-founder Rawinder Binning. She brings over 20 years’ experience in senior financial roles and has a background as a group financial director and company secretary.
“Kuflink is fortunate to have Gurmit Raina as our new CFO,” said Binning. “Her experience at board level, managing complex financial operations, allied to her hands-on approach and innovative problem solving, are just what Kuflink needs at this stage of its expansion.”
“I am delighted to join Kuflink’s board as CFO. I am passionate about developing the obvious potential that the company possesses and look forward to helping to push Kuflink to achieve its goals as a lender and an already successful P2P platform,” said Raina.
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