A former relationship manager at HSBC Custody Services, Vicky Ackers, has joined Royal London 360° as the firm’s new head of investment.

The Isle of Man-headquartered firm is the international division of the UK-based mutual life and pensions company, Royal London Group. The firm has recruited Ackers as a replacement for Mark Kennett, who has been appointed head of investment strategy.

Ackers held several senior positions on the Isle of Man prior to her role at HSBC, including custody manager at Rea Brothers, settlements supervisor at Coutts & Co and assistant manager, securities at Royal Bank of Canada. In her new role at Royal London 360°, Ackers will manage the fund administration team, which controls the administration of the firm’s portfolio bonds, Select and PIMS, its regular premium products Quantum, Paragon and LifePlan, and its latest single premium investment bond, Oracle.

The company will embark on an overhaul of its core investment processes in the coming months, Terry Kelly, director of customer operations at Royal London 360°, said in a statement.

As at 30 September 2010 Royal London 360° held funds under management in excess of $3 billion.