Appointments to fuel sustained growth in affinity market

Affinity partnership consultancy, Affinity Solutions, has appointed founder and former managing director, Bob Hand as chairman.

Neil Batley, formerly commercial director of the consultancy will become Managing Director.

Affinity Solutions was acquired by Fortis in January last year.

Having founded and run Affinity Solutions for the past 12 years, Hand has also assumed the position of chairman for Text2Insure, in which Fortis UK has a majority shareholding.

Hand said: "Following Fortis UK's acquisition of Affinity Solutions last year, I felt that it was time to refresh the management strategy to enable the business to successfully meet the challenges that lie ahead. I am looking forward to identifying and developing affinity opportunities for Fortis UK as we drive the business into a new era."

Batley has been with Affinity Solutions for seven years, including commercial director for the past two. As managing director, he will also be involved in developing new propositions for the affinity market and will have an integral role in developing Fortis UK's affinity strategy, the company said.

It said it intended to deliver a range of strategic partnership solutions to a wide variety of organisations in the financial services, retail and not-for-profit sectors and for clients who have included Morgan Stanley, Standard Life, Air Miles, and Guardian Newspapers.

Neil Batley said: "Affinity Solutions has always been seen as a market leader in terms of affinity strategy and best practice. I have ambitious plans for the consultancy and intend to maintain an interesting balance and variety of work spanning a number of sectors, helping ensure the business continues to lead the market. It is an exciting time for us, as we look to expand the consultancy team, and as we develop our skills outside the UK, where affinity is increasingly on the agenda. I firmly believe we are well-placed to do this."