Midland head of card development to quit

Midland Bank’s head of group card development, Ken Howes, is leaving next month.

A Midland spokesman says Howes is going to work at the London office of US consultancy Edgar Dunn as a partner.

He was involved with the Mondex trials in Swindon, Internet development and new technology payment systems. He is unlikely to be replaced.

He is the second senior marketer to leave in a month, following the departure of marketing direc-tor Geoffrey Ellerton in January.

The bank announced it was reorganising its marketing activities to create a centralised marketing function. Ellerton was replaced in a restructure by Peter Godfrey, the former head of Midland’s cards and electronic banking. Godfrey be came general manager and head of marketing.

The restructure also resulted in the promotion of Mark Searles to head of consumer marketing and Andy Stephens, who became head of product development and quality service. Stephens was previously head of customer service.

Belinda Furneaux-Harris was promoted to the position of head of advertising and sponsorship. She previously worked for Midland Public Affairs.

Midland Bank launches a new campaign next week aimed at “empty-nesters”. The 70-second TV commercial focuses on a middle-aged woman who considers what to do now that her children have left home. It features the blue sofa and the song ‘Sloop John B’ by the Beach Boys. The campaign is intended to support the work of Midland’s 700 financial planing managers.