Mutual benefit of new board appointment

Mr Burrows, who has also become a board member at Engage, joins from Aviva, where he held a number of executive management roles in the UK and abroad, most recently as financial reporting director for Aviva's European region.

He joins Engage Mutual during a period of growth which has recently seen the acquisition of a second health cash plan business and the transfer of part of Ecclesiastical Life's long term insurance business.

Engage Mutual has more than 475,000 customers and assets under management of more than 900m.

Mr Burrows said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to join a thriving customer owned organisation. We are defining an ambitious strategy for Engage Mutual that will see the group reinvigorate its mutual business model and deliver outstanding service and value to our customers. I look forward to playing my part in an exciting future."

Andrew Haigh, Engage Mutual's chief executive, said: "Peter brings a great skill set and extensive experience. He will make a valuable contribution to helping Engage Mutual fulfil its ambition to be an outstanding customer owned business. We welcome him on board."