Scottish Widows hires Claire Burston as comms lead

Scottish Widows, the pensions provider and subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group, has brought in Standard Life’s Claire Burston as head of comms.

As part of Lloyd’s group corporate affairs team, Burston will provide strategic counsel to senior stakeholders and executives.

She reports into John Penman, director of comms, who said: “At a time of unprecedented change in the life and pensions industry, Scottish Widows is determined to ensure it remains at the forefront of the debate. Claire brings a wealth of experience to help us shape and deliver our communications strategy at one of the most important periods in the history of the brand. We’re very excited to have her on board.”

Burston was appointed head of PR at Standard Life in 2015, after four years with the company. She previously worked for Penrose Financial (now MHP), and has been a financial journalist for the Mail on Sunday, Investment Week and Bloomberg Money.

Burston added: “I’ve been given a great opportunity to take the media team forward at such a pivotal time in the company’s development.

“I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves to help shape positive media, stakeholder and customer perceptions externally, as well as helping drive colleague engagement and advocacy internally, working with other senior members of the communications team.”