Wealth and investment manager Sanlam UK has appointed former Just Retirement director of intermediary sales John Pyburn as its new head of UK distribution.

Mr Pyburn has more than 25 years of experience in financial services and has held senior roles at State Street Global Advisors, Canada Life, Abbey for Intermediaries (now Santander) and more recently Just Retirement, where he spent more than eight years as director of intermediary Sales.

The company says the integration of Sanlam’s UK businesses gives the firm “significant opportunities” in the adviser market. In his new role, he will develop Sanlam UK’s distribution strategy and capability. In particular he will support the delivery of its proposition to advisers who are part of the firm’s partnership programme, which was launched earlier this year, ‘Sanlam Partners’.

My Pyburn will manage Sanlam UK’s distribution team and work closely with its head of nationals and networks, Kay Hylton.  He will join Sanlam UK this week.

Sanlam UK CEO Jonathan Polin said: “John is a highly talented professional with a deep understanding of the adviser market and an exceptional track record in financial services. Our distribution capability will be a significant driver of commercial success over the coming years and John has a long career building effective, growth-driven sales functions.”

“I look forward to working with John and bringing his significant skill-set to bear as we seek to grow our business and deliver a high quality service to advisers and their clients.”

Mr Pyburn added: “It’s a very exciting time to join Sanlam UK as the business looks to develop its proposition and brand in the adviser market. I understand the unique and often complex challenges advisers face and look forward to working with them to develop a proposition which can help them achieve their business goals while delivering value to their client base.”

Sanlam Wealth Planning, the company’s national financial adviser arm has £1 billion of client assets under advice and 70 UK-based advisers. In total, the firm has nearly £12 billion of assets under management or influence.