Delaware Investments is continuing to reposition itself to better serve its retail clients. In the latest of a string of personnel moves dating back to this spring, John Ring has taking over as national sales manager of the retail retirement plans channel for Delaware Distributors, the firm's distribution arm.

Ring joins the firm from Fidelity where he was also national sales manager for the fund giant's public sector defined contribution, defined benefit and cash management business. In his newly created position he will report to Bruce D. Barton, president and chief executive officer.

Delaware created the position as part of an effort to focus itself on better serving its retail clients. The firm is trying to get a better handle on the needs of these customers, explained spokesperson Tom Gariepy. "Our aim is to provide a salesforce that is as user-friendly as possible," he added.

The move is an outgrowth of a strategy implemented by CEO Charles "Ed" Haldeman that Delaware needed to beef up its efforts in meeting the needs of its retail clients. Haldeman joined the firm in January from United Asset Management.

Last May, the firm handed the reigns of its newly created retail services unit to Mary Rudie Barneby. Prior to the change Barneby, who also joined the Delaware from UAM, had run its Retirement Financial Services Unit. At the same time the firm also expanded the duties of Doff Meyer from marketing communications for the retirement unit to include the same duties for the retail unit.

Gariepy said the the promotion of Barneby and the hiring of Ring are separate but related events as both were driven by the same underlying strategy.

Ring will have responsibility for strategic planning, sales management and key account relationships and takes the title of senior vice president.  

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE