The Hartford Financial Services Group, the US-based insurance and wealth management firm, has named David Collins as vice president and head of marketing and communications in the wealth management business.

Collins joins from Thomson Reuters, where he was a TV producer in charge of covering the wealth management industry. Prior to that, he worked for 20 years in Japan in various financial services firm, including State Street Global Advisors. At his new role, he is responsible for raising the profile of all activities taking place within the wealth unit.

"Over the past year, we made headway in our life insurance, annuity, mutual fund and retirement plan business. We're now focused on sharing our successes and taking our message to our customers and distribution partners," said David Levenson, president of the wealth management group. 

The Hartford Financial Services records $309.6 billion in assets under management as of 30 June 2011.