Virgin power business poaches Link chief

Virgin Home Services, the gas and electricity business Richard Branson is launching as an assault on the utilities market, has poached Dixons marketer Gary Tubb as marketing and sales director.

The business is also lining up creative and media agencies to pitch for its &£10m advertising account.

Tubb, who was marketing director of Dixons-owned mobile phone retailer The Link, was appointed by former Camelot marketing director Jon Kinsey and will head a new team of 20. Kinsey joined Virgin two weeks ago, after leaving British Gas Trading in December, where he was head of marketing and strategy (MW December 9 1999).

Kinsey confirmed Virgin Home Services will launch this summer. Some details are being kept under wraps, but he says the service “will definitely include gas and electricity”. It is also expected to offer water and phone charges on the same bill.

Virgin roster agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R is expected to be approached. TBWA GGT Simons Palmer, which also handles Virgin business, is not expected to take part in the pitch because it was awarded National Power’s new domestic energy power brand, npower, in January.