Ms Simmons is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) with over 25 years’ experience in HR and has worked for leading brands domestically and internationally in a variety of sectors, including financial services, retail and the arts.

She was most recently head of people and wellbeing at Scottish Ballet, where she spent the past two years establishing a new function.

Prior to this, Ms Simmons held various HR roles at Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as spending over ten years in the retail sector as HR Director for international furniture brand ILVA and director of retail HR at B&Q.

At Scottish Friendly, she will be heading up the HR team, leading all aspects of the company’s people proposition and strategy, including culture, performance, development and remuneration. 

Ms Simmons has been recruited at an important time for Scottish Friendly, as the size of the business recently doubled following the acquisition of a £2.4 billion book of life and pensions business from Canada Life.

Pamela Simmons said: “I’m very excited to be joining Scottish Friendly at such an important time and I look forward to playing my part in the growth and development of the company and people. The role presents a great opportunity and I look forward to working with everyone and being part of a business with such an amazing heritage.”