Prudential starts hunt for supremo

The Pru restructures for second time in two years and seeks marketing chief for whole group

Prudential is looking for a marketing supremo to fill the new group role of director, following a radical restructure.

The appointee, to be called marketing director, will have control over marketing the Pru’s new distribution channels – consumer, business to business, affinity and intermediary – as well as Prudential-owned Scottish Amicable. The position also encompasses responsibility for the companies combined marketing budgets of &£5.5m.

The move marks the final nail in the coffin for the structure set up as a result of a review by consultants McKinsey in 1998. This was partially dismantled by Mike Sommers in March 1999, who cut the retail marketing team from 125 to 70 people.

The new marketing director will report to Prudential chief executive Mark Wood.

The move is part of the Pru’s plans (announced last week) to dissolve its business units and operate as one integrated business. This also involves merging the management of Scottish Amicable into the company.

The Pru is deciding how existing unit marketing directors will relate to the new marketing director. These include David Dunn, marketing director for Prudential Europe, and Nigel Bruce, general insurance sales and marketing director.

One internal candidate has already applied for the position, although the company says it is looking outside the Pru.

The company also announced last week that Sean Tompkins, marketing director of Prudential Financial Services, is leaving the company by “mutual consent”. He is currently on holiday.