Mike Hoban leaves Scottish Widows

Mike Hoban, Scottish Widows customer and brand marketing director, has left the Lloyds TSB-owned company after three years. He is understood to have wanted to return to London from Scottish Widows head office in Edinburgh.

Hoban was appointed to the role in August 2005, taking over from interim marketing director Rob Rees, who covered the role for more than a year (MW August 18, 2005). He joined the life and pensions company from Barclaycard, where he was head of brand.

During his tenure, he has overseen the brand’s tier-one domestic sponsorship of the London 2012 Olympics alongside sister brand Lloyds TSB.

He was also responsible for increasing Scottish Widows’ marketing spend. Its 2008 advertising spend will be around 50% higher than 2007, growing to £11m from £7m last year (MW February 20). Hoban said the rise was to counteract the effects of an economic downturn as well as advertising its Olympic sponsorship around the Beijing Games.

Previously, Hoban has held positions at British Airways and Scottish & Newcastle. Andy Briggs, Scottish Widows managing director of marketing and distribution, will oversee Hoban’s responsibilities until the vacancy is filled.