Hastings Direct has appointed Tobias van der Meer as the new managing director of Hastings Retail.

Hastings Retail comprises the broking operations of Hastings trading under the brands of Hastings Direct, Insure, Renew, Likewise and Hastings Partnerships.

Van der Meer was previously a managing director at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com.

He was responsible for the money and broker lead businesses and all front and back office operations.

Hastings chief executive Ed Fitzmaurice said: “Tobias has deep insight into the needs of customers for financial service products and was instrumental in profitably growing the customer bases at moneysupermarket.com, egg and Citibank.

"We are looking to capitalise on his experience as we are currently enjoying tremendous growth and Tobias will be key in getting our business ready for a possible public flotation next year.”

Van der Meer will join the company on 1 June, reporting directly to Fitzmaurice.

Hastings Direct is currently preparing for an initial public offering in 2012 and is aiming to float on the London Stock Exchange’s main market.