Openwork has created the new role of chief commercial officer (CCO).

Mike Morrow has been promoted from wealth & platform director to CCO to lead on proposition development across the business as well as the development of the wealth platform and contractual relationships with adviser firms and third parties.

Morrow (pictured) starts his new role from the end of January. He previously worked for Ascentric as sales and marketing director and was head of insurance and investment at HSBC. Earlier in his career he was head of platform and distribution at AXA.

Claire Limon, currently director of learning and acquisition, joins the executive committee and will become wealth director as part of these changes. She will remain responsible for wealth adviser recruitment as well as retaining responsibility for Openwork’s Academy and learning and development.

Meanwhile, Pat McKenna, sales director at Owl Financial, Openwork’s specialist protection advice business, is retiring in March and will be succeeded by Liam Richards, currently head of sales at Owl. He will report into John Cupis, mortgage director at Openwork.

Philip Howell, chief executive of Openwork, said: “Key to our success will be our ability to focus on strategic implementation of our key deliverables and it is to this end that I have created a new role of Chief Commercial Officer.

“Mike’s understanding of the business alongside his experience and background makes him the best candidate for this important new role. These changes will position us well for our growth ambitions across the business and our specific focus expanding our successful wealth proposition. I congratulate both Mike and Claire on their new roles.

“We are sorry to see Pat retire and thank him for his considerable contribution to the development and success of Owl, from its early beginnings to a position where it now protects over 400,000 households across the UK. I am confident Liam and John will build on the success of Owl Financial as part of these changes.”