From West Ham's Big Sam to Mark Hodges, it's been a week of big appointments

Wednesday

Chief executive of music and entertainment broker Robertson Taylor John Silcock leaves the company under a cloud. As Amanda Blanc names her AXA branch managers, the French group reveals plans to cut €1bn (£890m) of costs in its non-life business by 2015.

Thursday

Contemplating Big Sam’s appointment as West Ham manager, my thoughts turn to Towergate. The appointment of Aviva’s Mark Hodges is a major coup. The insurer’s UK GI boss, David McMillan, tells me that his replacement, Friends Provident’s Trevor Matthews, has a lot to offer the GI business.

Friday

The Matthews/Hodges appointments hit the headlines. Outgoing Towergate chief Andy Homer tells us he will leave Hodges alone to run the show.

Monday

Banker John McFarlane is tipped as next chairman of Aviva.

Tuesday

I reveal that Oamps has bought Giles’s life sciences business.

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