Trade association AIFA has today announced that Stephen Gay, director general of AIFA and the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), is to leave the organisation. Mr Gay, who spent over a year at the Association, will leave to take up the position of director of Life, Savings and Protection at the Association of British Insurers.

The Rt Hon. John Gummer, Lord Deben, chairman of AIFA, said: "During a difficult economic year for members, AIFA and AMI have continued to provide a strong and essential voice for their professions. AIFA has reduced its costs, while increasing revenues, and has improving operations and governance. AIFA is now in a better position to provide the single, strong and united voice that is able to exert greater influence on regulators and policy makers in the UK and Europe.
"Stephen's leadership has been crucial to AIFA's improvement over the past year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his valuable contribution to our work and the development of the intermediary profession."
Mr Gay, Director General of AIFA, said: "I am proud of the work that AIFA and AMI do for their members and what we have achieved during the past year. I am also extremely grateful for the support shown by our Council and Boards, and the dedication of all the staff at the organisation during what has been a difficult year for advisers. I have no doubt that AIFA will continue to offer the profession an effective voice that is both listened to and respected by regulators and policy makers now and into the future."

The existing management team has been augmented by the appointment of a new Policy Director which was announced earlier this week. Chris Hannant is a highly experienced and proven policy professional and his appointment indicates the importance the Association places on this area at a time of major regulatory change both in the UK and Europe.
The Association of Independent Financial Advisers was launched in September 1999. Its role is to lobby the Treasury, FSA, government, the EU and other opinion formers and policymakers to ensure the regulatory and business environment is positive toward members.