Wesleyan appoints new Chief Financial Officer

News
03/07/2020

Wesleyan, the specialist financial services provider for doctors, dentists, lawyers and teachers, has announced that Gillian Cass will become their new Chief Financial Officer later this year, subject to regulatory approval.


Gillian joins Wesleyan with over 20 years’ financial services experience and is currently CFO of Customer Savings & Investments and Operations at M&G plc (previously Prudential plc).


Prior to her time with Prudential, Gillian held a number of roles at Aviva including Director of Global Finance Operations, Chief Accounting Officer of Aviva Investors and Chief Accounting Officer of the UK Life business.


In addition to her financial duties, Gillian will have accountability for Wesleyan’s Company Secretary and Strategy teams and will be a Member of the Society Board.


Speaking about Gillian’s appointment, Group Chief Executive Mario Mazzocchi said:

“I am impressed with Gillian’s breadth of knowledge and her ability to interpret how a proactive and knowledgeable finance function can support and enable a firm like Wesleyan to better serve its customers and enhance returns for our members.

“As a member of my Group Executive Committee I know Gillian will push us toward this goal and complement the diversity of thinking within this team.

“Wesleyan is on a continuous journey to meet and exceed the changing needs of our customers. It is our aim to provide brighter financial futures for the professions we serve, and we can only do so by becoming a true lifelong partner for all of their financial needs.

“As a result, we are investing in a programme of transformation that includes our infrastructure, ways of working and the ways in which we will reach our customers with products and services.

“Gillian’s appointment will undoubtedly support these efforts. In addition to her skills as CFO, she brings with her a wealth of experience in change management as well as more than 10 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK and abroad.”


Speaking about her appointment, Gillian Cass said:

“I am really looking forward to joining Wesleyan later this year to play a key role in delivering the strategic plans they have in place. I bought into Mario’s vision for the business from our very first conversation and know that as a financial mutual they have their customers’ needs and members’ interests at heart – and that is a great model upon which we will build.”


Gillian will replace Ahmed Farooq, who joined Wesleyan in 2010 and became CFO in 2015. He will leave Wesleyan at the end of the year after a complete handover to Gillian.


As well as leading Finance, Actuarial and Investments as CFO, during his time at Wesleyan, Ahmed led Wesleyan’s General Insurance business, Technology and Transformation and played a key leadership role in bringing Practice Plan and DPAS into the Wesleyan Group.


Speaking about Ahmed’s departure, Mario said:

“Ahmed has been a great member of the Wesleyan family for 10 years and I am grateful to him for the major contribution he has made to our business, the Society Board and the wider communities we serve.

“Over his long career with the Group he has a track record of success which has added value to our members and customers alike. We wish him the very best in the next chapter of his career.”


Gillian Cass is expected to join Wesleyan in November and will report to Group Chief Executive Mario Mazzocchi.