About Sesame

Sesame is one of the largest and longest established financial services network in the UK

We give professional financial advisers the support they need to run their business effectively.

With over 20 years of regulatory experience and business support, we’re perfectly placed to deliver expert guidance and services to advisers.

As part of the Sesame Bankhall Group, we have the backing to continue to design, develop and deliver the services and technologies that advisers need now and in the future.

Consumers

We work closely with financial regulators and government bodies to make sure our members – the mortgage and protection advisers providing services to you – are advising you in a fair and compliant manner.

Information for Consumers

The Executive team

Richard Harrison

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Richard joined Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) as Chief Executive Officer in January 2024.

Bringing more than 20 years’ financial services leadership experience, Richard has established a strong track record for helping businesses to evolve and grow, by delivering clear strategies and creating successful partnerships.

Richard joined SBG from Wesleyan Assurance Society, where he held the position of Chief Distribution Officer with responsibility for financial advice, general insurance, and distribution across its five businesses.

Prior to Wesleyan, Richard was Head of Network and Premier at HSBC UK, where he was responsible for more than 7,000 people and 520 branches. He has also held leadership positions at RBS, NatWest, and Skipton Building Society.

Paul Wilson

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

With over 30 years’ financial services experience, Paul is has held a series of wide-ranging senior executive positions including Chief Marketing Officer at Aviva, Director of Consulting at Barclays Wealth, and Divisional Director of Business Development at St James’s Place.

Paul began his career with Norwich Union before spending a decade at Mercer in client development, becoming UK Sales Director of its Marsh Mercer division. He then led a range of propositional and marketing functions at St. James’ Place before becoming their Marketing Director, and subsequently led Barclays’ re-entry into corporate financial planning.

In 2015, Paul joined Aviva where he led on corporate strategy, served as Chief Marketing Officer for Aviva Life Insurance, and went on to lead the Connected Propositions Programme as part of the firm’s One Aviva strategy, demonstrating the value Aviva’s breadth brings to its customers and intermediaries.

Paul became a non-executive director of Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) in 2021 and joined the Group’s Executive team as Chief Operating Officer in July 2023. In his current role, Paul oversees SBG’s ongoing operational strategy, responsible for creating efficiencies and driving sustainable growth while continuing to build an exceptional adviser experience.

Sarah Batham

General Counsel And Chief Risk Officer

Sarah has been a practising lawyer for over 14 years and joined Sesame Bankhall Group as General Counsel in May 2019. In 2021, Sarah took on additional regulatory policy, risk, and governance responsibilities, when she was promoted to the Executive Team as General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer.

Prior to this, Sarah worked for over 11 years at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, rising through the firm to become a Partner in its Financial Services Disputes & Investigations division.

Over the course of her career, Sarah has built up a wealth of experience advising financial institutions on a wide range of compliance issues, enabling organisations to implement effective systems and controls, and identify potential risks at an early stage.

In her current role, Sarah also advises the Board on strategic legal and regulatory issues. She identifies and manages new and evolving legal and regulatory risks, to ensure the business’ strategic objectives remain within risk appetite.

Steve Harris

Chief Finance Officer

Steve is a qualified chartered accountant (FCA) with more than 20 years’ experience of the life insurance market, 19 of them in industry.

He has experience in senior finance roles including Distribution and Product Finance Director, Strategic Finance, Commercial, Group FP&A as well as Chairman of a Pension Trust.

Steve is particularly skilled in creating and delivering commercial solutions through being a problem solving business influencer who is inquisitive and enjoys building healthy challenging relationships with people across functions and areas.

A flexible, well organised, collaborative and solution driven leader with a positive attitude that means things get done, but always willing to listen to get results. Steve uses his core financial grounding and commercial intuition to drive strategic business thinking, establishing plans and achieving key deliverables.

Steve is motivated in developing and supporting individuals to reach their potential, gaining an internationally recognised accreditation for coaching through ICF.