MetLife poaches Friends group risk chief to lead employee benefits arm

18 January 2012 8:47 am | By Tom Selby

MetLife UK has recruited Friends Life head of group risk Stephanie Baillie as it prepares for an assault on the employee benefits market.

In November, MetLife revealed plans to raise its profile in the employee benefits sector in the UK during 2012.

Baillie’s appointment, as head of employee benefits, forms a key part of the provider’s strategy ahead of pension automatic enrolment.

MetLife has also set up a dedicated sales support team to increase its focus on intermediaries and appointed Tom Gaynor as UK employee benefits sales director.

MetLife UK chief executive Dominic Grinstead says: “We have ambitious plans for further long-term growth in employee benefits based on our core competencies of innovation, financial strength and service capability.

“Stephanie’s appointment underlines this commitment and we look forward to welcoming her to MetLife.

A Friends Life spokeswoman says: “We can confirm that Stephanie Baillie has now left the company. We wish her all the very best for the future. There are no current plans to replace her.”

Baillie has worked at Friends Life for 23 years. She was previously sales manager for the Midlands region and national sales manager for group protection.

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