HBOS has promoted John Van Der Wielen to director of distribution for its insurance and investment division in the UK. He was formerly chief executive of St Andrew's Australia, the insurance and wealth management arm of HBOS Australia through its BankWest subsidiary. At HBOS, Mr Van Der Wielen will be responsible for more than 370 business development managers and oversee HBOS's pension and life insurance business, including the Clerical Medical unit, which has £39 billion ($80 billion) in funds under management. He was appointed St Andrew's Insurance (Australia) managing director in 1998 and was previously Fortis Group state manager for both South Australia and Western Australia. St Andrew's Australia wealth management director Paul Northey has been appointed acting chief executive.