Prudential UK chief Hunt steps down

Insurer Prudential UK & Europe, which employs more than 2,000 workers at its site near Stirling, has announced that chief executive Jackie Hunt is leaving the organisation after two years in the position.

One of the financial industry’s most senior female executives, Ms Hunt was appointed to the role in 2013 and succeeded Rob Devey, who left to join advice firm Towry.

She was previously finance director at Standard Life.

The move comes less than five months after Mike Wells took over from Tidjane Thiam as group chief executive of the UK’s biggest listed insurer, a job for which Ms Hunt had been seen as a strong contender.

Prudential group investment director John Foley will become UK chief executive on an interim basis until a permanent successor is appointed.

Mr Wells said: “I would like to thank Jackie for the contribution she has made during a period of radical change in the UK marketplace.

“She leaves our UK life business in a strong position to continue to meet our customers’ long-term savings and retirement needs while delivering valuable returns for our shareholders. I am also delighted that we have someone with the experience and expertise of John Foley to take the business forward until a permanent successor is appointed.”