Barclaycard axes role of top marketer

Barclaycard has axed the role of marketing director as part of a restructure of the business that will see 250 back-office jobs go, including some in marketing.

Incumbent Alison Hutchinson has been moved to Barclaycard’s international operations, as commercial director for territories outside the UK.

From August, the Barclaycard brand will be overseen by Barclays managing director for cards and loans Alison Rennison, rather than incoming group brand and UK marketing director Jim Hytner, who joins Barclays in the autumn.

In a restructure mirroring that of parent company Barclays (MW June 24), Barclaycard marketing is being devolved into three business areas: the open market; existing Barclaycard and Barclays customers; and partnerships. Marketers for the divisions will report to Rennison.

Barclaycard says it is in consultation about the axeing of 250 non-customer facing jobs in marketing, operations and other support areas, as Barclays chief executive-elect John Varley begins to stamp his authority on the business.

Barclaycard has recently returned to television, with ads featuring Jennifer Aniston. The ads are the first created by Bartle Bogle Hegarty since the advertising was moved from DDB London last year (MW October 30, 2003).