The group is expected to announce today (Wednesday) that Rich, who is director of corporate development, will take on the new marketing role with a budget of more than 拢80m. Rich, a surprise choice for the post, does not have an extensive marketing background.
Industry sources suggested Wilmot has decided to look outside Royal Mail Group for her next career move. Wilmot could not be contacted as Marketing went to press.
Since joining Royal Mail from Littlewoods in January 2001, in the role of managing director, business and consumer markets, Wilmot has spearheaded the repositioning of the Royal Mail brand and overseen its refocus on more lucrative business customers.
Wilmot was widely expected to battle it out for the top marketing role against Adam Novak, managing director of the media markets division (Marketing, October 17).
Under Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton's guidance, their areas will merge with the e-enterprise unit to form a Royal Mail Group letters division, which will oversee the firm's mail-related interests.
Novak is believed to be in negotiations with Leighton over taking on another role. Neither could be contacted as Marketing went to press. Royal Mail said further details of the restructure would be announced shortly.
Since Leighton became chairman, he has signalled his intention to reverse a decline which has seen the firm lose up to 拢1m per day. Leighton announced the ditching of the Consignia corporate brand and the rebranding as Royal Mail Group.
Last weekend, ex-Football Association chief executive Adam Crozier was linked with the chief executive role at the Royal Mail, while separate reports suggested Postcomm was planning to break up Royal Mail in order to increase market competition.
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