Ward’s role will be absorbed into a newly created head of corporate pensions marketing role that is being taken up by Martin Palmer, as the insurer restructures its UK business into distinct corporate and individual groups that are to operate as discrete profit centres. Palmer will take up the role as corporate pensions spokesman for the insurer.
Palmer will report to James Ward, director UK corporate business, who in turn reports to Simon Clamp, managing director UK of Friends Provident.
Ward’s departure comes at the end of a lengthy hand-over period when he will be working as head of strategy, panning and funds platform at the life office. Ward, who is 50, is in a position to take early retirement but says he will consider other options in due course.
Ward says: “We are parting on amicable terms and I am supportive of the changes. There is a clear logic to the restructure and I am happy to help manage an orderly changeover.”