M&G poaches Standard Life exec to ramp up PruFund distribution

M&G has hired a Standard Life exec to head up distribution for its life and pensions business.

Chris Hudson has become Director of Distribution for the company’s individual life and pensions products, reporting to Anusha Mittal, who is MD for Individual Life and Pensions.

His role will see him in particular pushing the PruFund range of funds, which are an investment vehicle primarily aimed at retirees.

Chris was previously at Standard Life UK, where he spent just under three years as MD for Retail & Intermediary.

Before that he spent two years as Sales Director at LV=, and nearly five years at Aviva as Distribution Director for Wealth and Retirement. Earlier in his career, he also held roles at Friends Life and Aegon.

Chris replaces Rob Hickson, who was key in the launch and development of PruFund.

Anusha Mittal  said: “[Chris’s] track record of leading high-performing teams, bringing new products to market, and delivering profitable distribution strategies, will be a huge asset as we maintain our focus on expanding the reach of retirement solutions for advisers and their clients.

“We have big ambitions for our market-leading PruFund range, whose long-term investment approach continues to provide good customer outcomes, supported by its smoothing mechanism that protects against short-term volatility.”

Chris Hudson said: “I am excited to be joining M&G and to lead the team behind the distribution of the UK’s leading smoothed fund range.

“PruFund is well regarded by Intermediaries across the market, has an enviable track record and I look forward to working with the team to grow our distribution footprint as we develop our product range and deliver outstanding customer outcomes in partnership with Intermediaries across the UK.”