RSA splits lead marketer responsibilities in overhaul

RSA is restructuring its marketing department following the departure of Clare Sheikh, director of strategy, marketing and customer, after four years at the company.

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Sheikh’s job at the insurance group will be split in two, with Pete Markey, currently head of marketing at More Than, RSA’s car-to-pet insurance business, becoming chief marketing officer, Orlagh Hunt, group human resources director, extending her role to include customer service and the RSA brand.

Sheikh, a former ITV and AA Financial Services marketer , told Marketing Week she does not have another job lined up and said that she was considering a number of options, including another marketing job.

Markey told Marketing Week that the link between motivated staff and good customer service meant that it was logical to give HR responsibility for half of the marketing function.

One early priority will be spreading the marketing values of the UK business across about 20 overseas subsidiaries in the RSA group, he said.

During her time at RSA, Sheikh slashed the number of brands within the group from 300 to 10; re-branded the company to RSA from Royal & Sun Alliance; and worked on a marketing campaign to celebrate the company’s 300th anniversary.

Read an interview with Clare Sheikh on her favourite brands here