Abbey appoints retail marketing director

Abbey National has appointed savings and banking director Janet Connor to the role of retail marketing director.

Connor will replace Gary Hockey-Morley, who has been promoted to director of business banking to build the bank’s share of the smalland medium-sized business banking market. She will report to Andrew Pople, managing director of Abbey National Retail Bank.

Connor held the position of savings and banking director marketing from June 1999 and was responsible for the marketing of savings products.

In 1997, as Safeway project manager for Abbey National, she oversaw the introduction of Abbey National branches in Safeway stores. In 1998 she was promoted to managing director of Abbey National Healthcare.

Connor joined Abbey National from Sainsbury’s in 1990, where she held training roles.

Pople says: “Connor’s considerable experience of the retail business will enable her to effectively execute of our brand-led strategy, in terms of brand marketing, product development and customer value management.”

Abbey National has 750 branches across the UK, servicing 15 million customers. It has &£69bn of mortgage assets. Lloyds TSB is attempting a takeover of the company, although the move is being investigated by the Competition Commission.