This appointment continues a strategic move towards further strengthening their team in order to support growth plans within the protection market.

Peters was previously a co-founder and distribution director, at Bright Grey and more recently Guardian as well as national partnerships director with Royal London.

Peters said: “I’m so pleased to have secured this opportunity with Cirencester Friendly where I’ll be able to continue working collaboratively with great people – this is a real attraction for me.

“I really enjoy finding and creating great partnerships with organisations and, as a work ethic, believe they are deeply important. It’s a fantastic new challenge for me and I’m really keen to get delivering against their exciting strategy.”

David Macgregor, commercial director at Cirencester Friendly, added: “We have set some ambitious plans for the future and believe Andy is the right person to help us to move forwards and deliver on these.

“Using his extensive financial services experience, he will be instrumental in bringing on new, good quality advisers as well as strengthening distribution opportunities and relationships for the business with those who already support us.

“We look forward to welcoming Andy to the Society and working with him to help support us with the delivery of the Society’s objectives.”