Bissett, who started his career with what would eventually become Aegon Scottish Equitable in 1981 before moving in 2004 to Aegon UK, will be based in the UK and report to Stephen Atkinson, Lombard’s regional head of sales.
Bissett’s last role at Aegon was as business development director of private wealth management.
Lombard chief executive Matt Moran said Bissett’s appointment signalled the company’s commitment “to further developing our private banking presence” in the UK and added: “We expect to make similar appointments in several markets over the coming period, to prepare for our next phase of growth.”
A part of the Friends Life’s international division, Lombard International currently operates in 11 markets, and has assets under management of more than €20bn. Friends Life in turn is part of the London Stock Exchange-listed Resolution Group, which acquired it in 2009.
Lombard specialises in providing unit-linked life insurance products and other wealth planning products to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, through a network of private banks, wealth managers and financial advisers. It claims to have pioneered the use of so-called privatbancassurance products that make use of life insurance as a financial planning tool.
