Lycetts appoints new Chair

Ian Martin has been appointed the new Chair of Lycetts.

In his non-executive role, Ian Martin will help to further enhance corporate governance, manage regulatory risk, and support with strategic planning for the business.

Ian, who lives in Kent, boasts an enviable career history and is highly experienced within the insurance sector.

From 2012 to 2014 he was CEO of HSBC Insurance UK, Ireland and Malta. He then went on to spend four years as CEO of HSBC Insurance Singapore and a director of HSBC Asia Insurance Holdings.

Between 2018 and 2020 he worked in the office of the global head of insurance, HSBC group, as chief of staff. He has since been involved in the education, charity and not-for-profit sector. He is currently Chair of three charities and a director of two not-for-profit organisations.

Ian said: “I am delighted I will be able to help drive Lycetts to future success. It is a company with a strong commitment to charity and community, and a business that operates with great integrity.”

He is Chair of Trustees of the Quest School, a specialist school for pupils with autism and multiple other needs.

Ian is also Chair of Trustees of Tunbridge Wells Christian Fellowship, and of World In Need International, an international, Christian aid organisation working in partnership with communities in 10 African and Asian countries.

He is a Supervisory Board Member of GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity).

A keen sportsman, Ian is a National Masters badminton competitor, a golfer and an open water diver.

Welcoming the appointment, Lycetts Chief Executive Charles Foster, said: “Ian is excited to be taking up this role and he is a keen advocate of our ownership by Benefact. He is eager to help Lycetts to deliver our part of the Group’s strategy and to leverage the capabilities of the Group for our benefit.

“I am confident that Ian Martin will be a good fit in his new role at Lycetts and I look forward to having the opportunity to work with him.”

Foster thanked Denise Cockrem who has stepped down as both Chair and a Director of Lycetts due to her expanding commitments as Finance Director at Benefact Group.

He said: “I am very grateful to Denise for the help that she has given us over the past three years, her support for Lycetts and, in particular, for her support for me as CEO.”