The Protection Distributors Group (PDG) has revealed several changes to its board for 2026. Firstly, Neil McCarthy’s tenure as Chair has come to an end following five years of service to the organisation, with his work having been focused on helping the group to grow and strengthen working relationships with insurers and organisations such as the FCA and ABI.
Neil is succeeded by Emma Thomson, who has been the PDG’s Vice Chair for the last twelve months and who was its inaugural chair when the PDG was founded in 2016.
Furthermore, Alan Knowles, Tony Mudd and Rob White have stepped down from the board to concentrate on their own businesses and give an opportunity for other members to help lead the PDG’s activities. Neil, Alan, Tony and Rob will continue to contribute to the PDG as members.
In their place, Nathaniel Lee from Business Protected, Tom Connor from Brown & Brown and Adam Higgs from St James’ Place have been appointed as new board members for 2026.
"I’m delighted to be taking on the role as Chair of the PDG, particularly given this year we will be marking our 10th anniversary of working as a group to improve customer outcomes," Thomson said, "we’ve been working on some exciting initiatives, the outcomes of which will be announced during this year, and I’m looking forward to helping the PDG deliver even more for both consumers and our market.
"Neil, Alan, Tony and Rob have made fantastic contributions to the PDG’s board, and we greatly appreciate all they’ve done. Whilst it’s sad to see them step away, the remaining board members are very much looking forward to working with Nathaniel, Adam and Tom, and I know they will make a positive difference to the PDG’s activities."
Lee added: "I feel honoured to join the PDG board, especially given the current members’ careers and achievements; it’s a talented, passionate team. I’m very much looking forward to getting stuck in and helping the PDG deliver even more for customers."
The PDG’s board is now composed of Emma Thomson, Tom Baigrie, Tom Connor, Adam Higgs, Nathaniel Lee, David Mead, Roy McLoughlin, Charlotte Rogers, Ian Sawyer, and Zanele Sibanda.
