Hodgson to lead Charcol revamp

Financial services company Charcol has appointed former Interactive Investor International (iii) marketing and communications director Candice Hodgson as marketing director.

Hodgson will be responsible for transforming Charcol from a mortgage provider into an online wealth management company, selling pensions and investment products.

Charcol will continue to broker mortgages through its ten Charcol branches in South-east England and through estate agents.

Hodgson left online personal finance site iii in May this year to return to her native South Africa for personal reasons. This is her first job since she returned to the UK.

Before joining iii she worked for finance house Investec.

She will report to Mark Howe, marketing director of Charcol’s owner, Bradford & Bingley.

Hodgson will replace Maria Davlantes, who moved to BP in August to become vice-president of marketing performance (MW August 23).

Charcol was formerly known as John Charcol, but was rebranded in 1999 when it was bought by Bradford & Bingley. The online arm was launched in November 1999.

Charcol decided to expand its product range after research showed its customers thought it was “authoritative about the financial sector”.