Navigatormanaging director Marc Mengler will step down from the role this Friday, stating “given the recent changes, it was a good time to leave”.
Mengler began working at Navigator in late 2000 after moving across fromColonial First Statewhere he was the marketing manager and says he has no immediate plans as to his next role in the industry. Rather he says he will take a two to three month break and investigate some opportunities during that time.
Mengler’s departure is the second big-name move from the group which underwent a change in senior management in April of this year.
At that time the previous head of distribution Allan Griffiths took on the post of chief executive after the retirement of Rob Garnsworthy.
Griffiths’ role has not been filled since his promotion and Mengler says his role will not be filled also as the senior executive team is being reduced in size from eight to six.
A spokesperson for Navigator says the duties covered by Mengler will be split with director of IT Grant Salmon picking up operations while Rob Donaghey will cover products in the role of group general manager for products and strategy.
Marketing will report directly through to Griffiths as part of the reduction in executive numbers with the general management team now also reporting through to the board on a monthly basis.
This reduction has also included shifting the reporting for Norwich Union’s fund management arm,Portfolio Partners, from the Australian operations to the group’s head office in the UK.
“I had discussions with the group in the UK and in Australia and looking forward at the plans there are differing roles than in the past. The group will be adopting a smaller executive team and therefore it is time to move on,” Mengler says.
