Spiers and Walker depart ING in changing of the guard

The previouschief executive of RetireInvest, Mark Spiers, and the head of Partnership Planning Mike Walker have both departed ING.

Spiers moved out of the chief executive role in late October to take on a position as regional manager for market development of the Asia/Pacific region. He made the decision to leave ING only days before Christmas.

In that role, Spiers says he supported the 11 countries within the region in indentifying strategic opportunities through joint ventures, alliances and acquisitions to expand ING’s wealth management capabilities in each of those markets.

“During the four months I was in the role, it became apparent the responsibilities of the role should be driven by management in the Asia/Pacific countries rather than from Sydney. Therefore, we (Spiers and and ING management) decided the role was no longer required,” Spiers says.

At present he says he is fielding offers from other financial services groups but has yet to formally announce who his next employer will be or the position he will hold.

However, Spiers’ departure has been further highlighted by that of Mike Walker, who has left his post as general manager of Partnership Planning (PP).

Walker, one of the key figures who propelled the ING financial services dealer group into existence in December 2000, resigned from PP late last year after less than one year with the group.

David Love has assumed the role of acting general manager until a permanent replacement is found.

Partnership Planning was formed following the consolidation of Mercantile Mutual’s dealer groups — Bleakleys and Advisor Investment Services (AIS) — and with RetireInvest is one of ING’s chief tied distribution platforms.