Lloyds Banking Group has hired Rose St Louis as its new protection director across the institution’s various brands.

The industry veteran joins on 15 March and replaces Gary Burchett who retires later this year.

St Louis was previously a director in KPMG’s insurance practice and has over 20 years of experience in financial services.

The high street banking giant says St Louis will be “tasked with leading the development and growth of Lloyds Banking Group and Scottish Widows’ protection business, including proposition development for both franchise customers and intermediary partners”.

Lloyds Banking Group general insurance, protection and investments director Craig Thornton says: “Rose’s experience across the insurance value chain has given her a comprehensive understanding of both customer needs and the issues intermediaries encounter. She is ideally suited to developing propositions which address their needs and drive industry best practice.”

St Louis began her career as a financial adviser before working with, and for, distributors, insurers and technology providers. She was instrumental in setting up and launching the Women in Protection Network.

St Louis says: “I am delighted to be joining the Lloyds team at a time when protection is a priority. This role gives me the opportunity to focus on the area of financial services about which I am most passionate, while growing the Scottish Widows protection business and building on the solid foundations created by Gary Burchett and the team.