Three directors exit Openwork
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Sales director Andy Ferns, governance director Michael Burne, and development director Gerard Moore are all leaving Openwork, with Burne and Moore leaving the network with immediate effect.
Openwork advisers were notified of Andy Fern’s departure by an email sent yesterday.
A separate email was also sent yesterday to Openwork staff advising them that Burne and Moore would be leaving the network.
Both emails, seen by Mortgage Strategy, were sent from Martin Davis, chief executive officer at Openwork.
On the departure of Burne and Moore, Davis says in the email: “I am writing to inform you that Michael Burne and Gerard Moore have left the business with immediate effect.
“This news will come as a shock to many of you and will be unsettling for some - particularly those of you directly affected.
“Both Michael and Gerard have been valued members of staff during their time here and I’m sure you will join me in wishing them well as they pursue other opportunities.”
Paul Mitchener will assume Burne’s responsibilities as governance director, and will also deal with Openwork’s compliance and complaints divisions.
Other internal changes include a change in reporting lines for Openwork staff.
Davis adds: “These are transitional changes and we will communicate more details in the near future.
“My primary focus remains on transforming Openwork and achieving our objectives.
“Your continued commitment, support and professionalism will be greatly appreciated at this time.”
Burne and Moore both joined Openwork in January 2009.
Davis was appointed to the chief executive role at Openwork last July, replacing Keith Carby.
Meanwhile Ferns is stepping down from his role as sales director and plans to leave the network after completing a project focussing of Openwork’s IFA strategy.
The second email, again from Davis, says: “It is with regret that I must announce that after a long and highly successful career with Openwork Andy Ferns has decided to opt for a change in direction and is ultimately leaving the business to pursue other options.
“Andy has been integral to the growth and success of Openwork - well before the name even existed - and I would personally like to thank him for the effort and dedication he has given to this business over the last twenty years.”
Within the email Ferns is quoted as saying his decision to leave the network is one of hardest he has ever had to make.
He says: “Openwork is a unique business, full of very special people and I will miss them very much.
“However, after agonising over this for some time now, I have decided that it is the right time for a change and I wish to explore other opportunities at this stage of my career.
“I have loved being a part of the Openwork / Zurich / Allied Dunbar family over these last two decades and I am very proud of what we have all been able to achieve.
“I wish Martin and the team all the best with this next phase of the Openwork journey.”
Ferns has been with Openwork since the network opened for business in June 2005.
Readers' comments (10)
Anonymous | 28 Jan 2010 5:47 pm
Are these directors deserting a sinking ship?
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Anonymous | 28 Jan 2010 6:23 pm
Does these directors know something that the network members don't? I know that I would be worried if I was a member of this network.
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LEON BLACK | 28 Jan 2010 6:29 pm
I just want to pass on my best wishes to Gerry Moore & Andy Ferns on their departure from Allied Dunbar(Zurich).I'm sure they will be missed.
Regards
Leon Black
leonblack@chigwellfs.co.uk
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Paul Griffin | 28 Jan 2010 7:09 pm
rats and sinking ships
is there no loyalty left in this sad sad world of financial services
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Wasim | 28 Jan 2010 9:35 pm
Well well, After a few days since learning Mortgage Times was closed by FSA (and not voluntarily)another network is showing early signs of high profile casualty. After all who does leave a high position to pursue a career in other direction - is this another writing on the wall? is there someting heading for Openwork? one seriously must ask how is it that senior level staff who leave, can expect the rest of us workers of industry to have confidence? who do lower end staff remain uninformed until its too late? why do directors get away and FSA dont do anything to prtect the industry interests as a whole? I wish the very best for Openwork, but if it goes down like others, its a serious blow to confidence of ordinary hard working advisors and the public. We need FSA to give confidence, not completely obliterate it.
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Anonymous | 29 Jan 2010 12:03 pm
Of course it could just be that the new CEO and these members of his inherited team don't share the same vision? In many large corporates you see a change in the Executive Team with 12 months of new CEO appointment.
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Anonymous | 29 Jan 2010 8:40 pm
Personal Touch today wrote to all its AR'S introducing a £125 monthly charge which has come from nowhere! Another network feeling the pinch?
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Anonymous | 29 Jan 2010 9:42 pm
Maybe they weren't up to the challenge of the changing fcae of regultion and this change is a credit to Opnwork for shedding dead wood?
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Peter Briden | 29 Jan 2010 11:35 pm
The usual negative and destructive remarks from some people who don't bother to do a bit of research before rushing to comment. You get the feeling that they would actually be quite pleased if this network failed, with their gossipping drivel about sinking ships and so forth.
Just five minutes of research on the internet would would have shown them that Openwork is intending to undergo a significant process of restructuring, with the intention of offering a new business model in addition to their existing multi tie proposition, which is designed to attract more advisers and give them a wider choice of business models to choose from.
The financial advice profession suffers enough knocks, criticism and malicious gossip from outsiders, often completely unjustified, without the moaning minnies and professional whiners from within the industry joining in too.
And, no, I am not connected with Openwork in any way.
Executives of companies move on, just as advisers do, if they see an opportunity to advance their careers, or as the previous poster said, if they don't share the same vision as the new CEO. Get over it.
Peter Briden, 40 years an adviser.
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Paul Silcox | 1 Feb 2010 6:24 pm
Like the sycophantic Leon Black above, I too am looking for a job (not really! I'm joking I am))
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