Zurich moves top marketer to retail chief in restructure

Zurich has promoted UK marketing director Mark Searles to managing director, retail, following a restructure of its UK general insurance division. He will continue as marketing director.

The restructure follows the appointment of Guy Munnoch as chief executive. Munnoch will succeed Ian Stuart in January, subject to regulatory approval.

The UK business has been split into four market-facing divisions. David Smith becomes broker managing director concentrating on Zurich’s intermediary business, and Rob Allison moves to managing director, commercial direct, and will maintain Zurich’s focus on public sector business.

The group is also looking for a managing director for partnerships, who will be responsible for all business via corporate partners and affinity groups. The restructure aims to help Zurich develop its direct and intermediary businesses in the UK.

Searles joined Zurich last September as its first UK marketing director, ahead of a high-profile global brand campaign created by Publicis, featuring the strapline "Because Change Happenz". The network was appointed to the £100m global account in May 2004.

The insurance company also became the first brand to advertise on Nelson’s Column earlier this year. Zurich struck a deal with the Mayor of London to advertise on hoardings surrounding the monument as the landmark underwent restoration.

Searles was previously director of Create Services at Lloyds TSB, where he was responsible for the Goldfish credit card brand which has since been sold to Morgan Stanley. His remit covers marketing across all business lines in the UK and he is also involved in developing the brand globally.