Golunska (pictured) has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services including senior roles at Friends Life as retirement services director, JLT Employee Benefits, Paternoster and Prudential. Before becoming operations director at Aviva, Golunska was UK life digital transformation director.

As CEO, Golunska will also become a member of the SBG board and will report to John Cowan, executive chairman. She will commence her role after receiving regulatory approval.

Golunska said: “I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to lead SBG. I’ve been impressed by how alive SBG is to the societal and competitive forces that are shaping our industry, and more importantly, SBG’s determination to be at the forefront of delivering an improved customer experience for the advisers and clients it serves.

“I believe the experience I have gained in a range of senior digital, organisational and transformational roles will be crucial as SBG moves into a new phase of investment and growth. SBG has a bold vision and exciting plans for the future; the key now is to bring this vision to life so that advisers and their clients can reap the benefits.”

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Cowan said: “Michele has excellent industry credentials and a proven track record in building and transforming businesses in a digital world. She’s the ideal person to lead the business forward and bring our group’s future plans to life for advisers and their customers.”

Cowan said Michele was joining SBG as it began a new period of growth in services and support for its members and clients.

Group finance director Jim Kelly became group business development director and Stephen Harris joined SBG from Aviva as chief financial officer.