BlackRock has promoted Neil Purvis to the newly-created role of business head – UK defined contribution following a reorganisation of its DC business.
Purvis (pictured), who was previously chief operating officer and head of member communications for the UK DC business, will report to head of UK institutional, Arno Kitts and EMEA head of business operations, Brenda Sklar.
His promotion follows the departures of managing director responsible for UK DC business, Steve Rumbles, in March and head of UK DC administration, Gary Smith, in April.
Rumbles left BlackRock in March in order to take a break from the industry after 25 years with the company, with Kitts taking on his responsibilities in the interim. BlackRock declined to comment on Smith’s departure.
As part of a restructuring of its £43bn DC business, BlackRock has merged the two roles into one “CEO-like position” under Purvis. Meanwhile, head of business development and client relations, Paul Bucksey, has seen his role expanded to head of business development and strategy, while former change and transformation director Melanie Seymour will assume the role of head of DC administration and service delivery.
A BlackRock spokesman said: “This move has been made to align resources for the benefit of clients facing increasingly complex challenges in employee pensions provision.
“Paul Bucksey will now take on a wider role as head of business development and strategy, reporting to Neil. In addition to his existing responsibilities for new business and clients, Paul will lead the strategy and marketing agenda for BlackRock’s UK institutional DC business. Melanie Seymour will take on the role of head of DC administration and service focusing on the service and support to both members and client alike.”
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