Aviva has hired Kay Westgarth as its new head of retirement distribution.

Westgarth, who has a 30-year career in financial services, reports to managing director Aviva Equity Release Matt McGill.

The financial services group says her track record “includes setting up and leading sales teams, spearheading successful market launches, and driving rapid brand growth”.

Westgarth had been Standard Life Home Finance’s sales director and played a key role in the firm’s launch into the intermediary market in 2021.

In a substantial career, she has held senior roles at Lloyds Banking Group, Prudential, and Towergate Group.

McGill says Westgarth “has an important role to play as we navigate new opportunities to develop the retirement market, supporting advisers to achieve the best outcomes for customers.”

Westgarth adds that she is looking forward to leading the retirement distribution division and “working with a team that values collaboration and innovation to deliver solutions for advisers and their clients.”