Lloyds Banking Group intermediaries managing director Mike Jones is to retire at the end of the year 35 years at the bank.

Director of strategic partnerships Esther Dijkstra is to step into the role following Jones’s retirement.

Jones started working for Lloyds in 1985 and held supervisory roles for the group’s German and Dutch banking arms before taking over leadership of the intermediaries business in 2010.

Jones says: “I can safely say the time has flown by and I’ve had great time here with a fantastic bunch of people. 

“It’s in the last ten years that I’ve felt the proudest in my career, as we have continued to support the intermediary mortgage market through thick and thin.”

“Even though there’s always exciting plans in the pipeline here, now is the right time for me to pass the baton and I know that things will be left in more than capable hands. 

“I’m looking forward to enjoying a slower pace of life with my family and literally sailing off into the sunset – on our narrowboat that we launched last month.”

Dijkstra says: “I don’t think there’s anyone in the industry with Mike’s range and breadth of experience and he certainly leaves big shoes to fill. 

“We will be sad to wave him off into retirement, but hope to continue building on his tremendous achievements as one of the industry’s great leaders.”