In the newly created role, Furner will “drive more integration” across the retail retirement teams.
Furner has worked at L&G since 2018, initially joining as a strategic partnership director and then working her way up to distribution director for retail annuities.
Prior to that, she worked in business development for MetLife for around six years. Before that, she was a key account manager at Bupa for around six years.
She also worked at Liberty Life from 1999 to 2005 in various broker and business development roles.
The creation of the new role comes as David G Jones retires after more than 40 years in the industry, including 38 years at L&G.
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Jones was the distribution director for L&G Home Finance for around three years and also worked as the sales director for retail protection for around seven years.
Jones will hand over leadership of the distribution team to Furner from 1 November, and as part of the changes, Rob Miles, head of intermediary sales, and Nick Birdseye, strategic partner development director, will join Furner’s team.
Ali Crossley, managing director of distribution at L&G, said: “The changes to our distribution team’s leadership brings our distribution expertise together, supporting our ambition to build a simpler, better-connected L&G. It also allows us to expand our reach with firms and advisers in the later life finance space – an area that’s becoming increasingly important in retirement planning.
“David has been an incredible force for L&G and the wider industry during his career, championing innovation through data and insight. We wish him the best for his retirement and thank him for his invaluable service to the sector.”
Jones added: “My 38 years with L&G have been immensely rewarding. I’ve been privileged to work with great teams across the business all with the aim of supporting customers to achieve the best possible outcomes. The distribution team goes from strength to strength, and I’m delighted that Cecilia and her expert team will continue to lead and deliver enhanced services for advisers and clients.”
Furner said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this enhanced role and to be joining the home finance team in its mission to make equity release a more mainstream product for people looking to achieve their later life goals. These exciting team changes will help drive more integration between our home finance and retail annuities businesses.
“I look forward to working with our brilliant expert team as we support our partners and deliver enhanced services for financial planners and their clients.”
