Air has reshuffled its senior leadership team as it announces the departure of company founder and current chairman of Air Club Stuart Wilson.

Wilson set up the business in 2007 and served as chief executive officer for almost 15 years. He is leaving Air to set up a new consultancy business with a focus on later-life lending. 

The reshuffle will also see group distribution director Jon Tweed leave to take on another opportunity in the sector. 

Tweed will continue to support the later-life industry, remaining a close advocate of Air Group.

Meanwhile, Alec Parkinson will join the company as director of sales operations. 

Parkinson joins after previously working as the customer engagement director at Key.

Shazia Iqbal has been promoted to director of marketing at Air. She will work alongside Parkinson and others in the leadership team to support members.

Air says it is moving into a new phase through its Comprehensive Conversations movement, which outlines a new set of measures for offering high-quality customer service in the later-life lending market.

Commenting on his departure, Wilson says: “The time is right for me to step back from Air. 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. “

“I am so very proud of what the team at Air continues to achieve. The breadth and depth of the proposition they offer their members and corporate partners is second to none. Working alongside such industry heavyweights as Jon was a rich privilege and a career highlight. I wish Paul Glynn and his team the very best and know that we will maintain a close relationship going forward.”

Tweed adds: “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 & development. But now is the time for me to move on to other opportunities.”