Ponsonby leaves Sky for start-up

BSkyB brand marketing director Charles Ponsonby is leaving the satellite operator after five years in the role.

His departure follows that of chief marketing officer Jon Florsheim last month.

Ponsonby will leave Sky next month to launch a start-up retail business offering digital products and services. He joined in October 2001 from Open Interactive, where he was group strategy and marketing director. He is also a former board member at Selfridges.

Sky has confirmed that Ponsonby is leaving and says it will announce new marketing arrangements closer to his departure.

Florsheim joined Homeserve GB, the emergency home maintenance service, as chief executive earlier this month. His resignation prompted Sky to reshuffle its senior management, as first revealed on marketingweek.co.uk, in November. His duties are now split between Matthew Anderson, previously group director of communications who is now responsible for brand marketing, and Brian Sullivan, promoted from director of product strategy and management to managing director, customer group.

Ponsonby was central to Sky’s advertising review, which saw the £75m creative business move from WPP Group’s United London to WCRS late last year.