Townsend has nearly three decades of experience in financial services most recently as managing director of BGL Group’s market leading general insurance distribution business.

He held the position from 2012 until 2023, successfully growing the firm’s partnership proposition through a range of digital and customer service innovations.

Townsend succeeds Reassured’s co-founder and outgoing CEO Steve Marshall, who becomes non-executive director of the business.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “Reassured is a hugely impressive business, demonstrating consistent growth and excellent customer outcomes over more than a decade. I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the company in its next phase of growth and look forward to working closely with the fantastic team Steve has built and our investors, Bridgepoint Development Capital.”

Marshall added:“We have always planned for the orderly succession as CEO and I am delighted that we have found someone of Mark’s calibre to lead Reassured into its next stage of growth, which will create around 250 additional career opportunities. I am excited to be able to lend my full support to Mark and the Board in my new role as non-executive director.”

Reassured is the UK’s largest life insurance broker and specialises in arranging life insurance for people across the country and has helped protect over 1.5 million families.