Sesame Bankhall Group has appointed Toni Smith to lead its adviser network in the the newly created role of distribution director.

Smith is a well known name in the mortgage market, having worked in the intermediary sector for more than 35 years, most recently at Primis Mortgage Network, where she held the roles of chief operating officer and later chief distribution officer.

Prior to that, she was business operations director at First Complete Limited for 10 years.

Smith left Primis, owned by LSL Property Services, in February this year, having been with the business since the inception of its financial services division.

In her new role, which is subject to FCA approval, Smith will lead growth of the Sesame business, shaping and driving distribution, and further developing the network’s mortgage and protection propositions for members, reporting to chief executive Richard Harrison.

She will take up her new role on 18 November and join SBG’s Executive Committee.

Harrison says: “With an established track record of success in growing strong client relationships, Toni is very experienced and highly tuned to the evolving needs of advisers and their customers, making her ideally placed to lead the future development of our network services and support.”

Smith says: “Sesame is one of our industry’s leading and most established adviser networks, with ambitious plans, making the decision to join the business a very easy one. I’m excited about the prospect of working closely with members, colleagues, and industry partners to further develop and grow a strong and successful adviser network that supports its member firms – and their customers – and helps them to flourish.”