An independent ratings organisation has awarded RL360 the highest possible rating for service in its latest report.

AKG upgraded the life insurance company from four stars to five, which represents ’excellent service.’

And it also reaffirmed its B+ for financial strength.

RL360said no other international life insurance company has a higher rating for financial strength.

The report said: ’The objective of RL360 is to provide an excellent level of service to customers and supporting advisers.

’For some years the company has seen this as a key unique selling point for its selection and retention by distributers, and since 2013 there has been continued improvement across all areas of service delivery to maintain this positioning.’

AKG, based in Dorking, Surrey, added: ’The company continues to drive service standard improvements, performs well in its internal service metrics and external benchmarking and has won numerous awards in respect of the design and delivery of its products.’

RL360 director of marketing Simon Barwell said: ’It is gratifying to see AKG acknowledging RL360’s very high service level. We’ve worked hard to ensure our offering to advisers and our policyholders is of an excellent standard.

’There’s always more work to be done and challenges to tackle, however, that’s what makes our industry so interesting. As always, we’re ready to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in.’

The AKG report called RL360’s parent company International Financial Group Ltd (IFGL) ’a financially strong standalone operation with very strong operational characteristics and a consistent strategy’.

It referred to RL360’s record of year on year growth in the face of challenges across the market. ’Importantly along with the growth in assets the business has focused on its human capital in terms of fostering a single RL360 culture, within a business composed in part through acquisition,’ said the report.

AKG Actuaries and Consultants Ltd specialise in the provision of ratings, information and market assistance to the financial services industry. The company’s reports are designed to provide advisers the information they need to assess the relative strengths of offshore long term insurers.

RL360 is part of IFGL, which has more than 70,000 policyholders, in 170 countries, in excess of US$11bn in assets under management and over 340 staff.

Meanwhile Sarah Dunnage has been appointed permanent chief executive for Ardan International.

Her appointment comes following a six-month period as interim chief executive.

Mrs Dunnage, former head of finance for RL360, has been part of the Ardan management team since it was purchased by IFGL, owner of the Ardan, RL360 and RL360° Services brands - in late 2016.

’I am delighted to be taking the permanent role of chief executive officer at Ardan International,’ said Mrs Dunnage.

’We have been working hard over the last six months developing exciting plans for the future of the platform.

’I am looking forward to the challenge of building and developing Ardan’s platform. The Ardan team is ensuring the company offers the best service, technology advancements and readiness for the ongoing regulatory changes in this challenging market environment.

’I would like to thank IFGL chief executive David Kneeshaw and IFGL for giving me this opportunity to lead the company into the future.’