SunLife builds new team with Vanquis chief as CMO

Phoenix Group-owned financial services company SunLife has appointed a new chief marketing officer as it shakes up its team following a brand refresh unveiled in January.

Victoria Heath joins the over-50s specialist from Vanquis Bank, where she has been marketing director since July 2020 and brings 20 years of strategic marketing experience.

Prior to Vanquis, Health was head of marketing for Post Office Insurance, Esure and Virgin Money, having started her career at RBS and Tesco Bank.

Over the years, Heath has been involved in developing customer propositions, brand strategy, digital optimisation and driving commercial growth with banking and insurance businesses.

SunLife, which offers life insurance, equity release and funeral plans, is also looking to recruit a marketing manager, a marketing planner and a marketing executive for its team, which is based in Bristol.

Independent agency Medialab has handled SunLife’s media planning and buying business since 2019 and was recently appointed to run the account of sister brand Standard Life.

SunLife chief executive Mark Screeton said: “Victoria really stood out in the recruitment process, which was run by the Phoenix Group Talent Acquisition team and attracted over 120 strong candidates. Her vast experience in the financial services industry and customer-focused attitude make her a great fit for our leadership team.”

Heath added: “SunLife’s expertise and focus on serving customer needs reflects the very best aspects of the financial services industry and the positive impact it can make on people’s lives. This is one of those opportunities that doesn’t come around too often, so I can’t wait to meet the team and start exploring SunLife’s future growth through marketing.”

SunLife’s brand refresh was unveiled in January and features a new “simplified” ID, in a move designed to “improve digital accessibility, in line with the company ethos: Simple, Certain, SunLife”.