GAB Robins has announced a major restructure following Kieren Rigby 's appointment as chief executive,with three senior staff culled as part of the shake-up.

Vic Noble has been promoted to UK customer services director,while Trevor Latimer,Graham Smart and Dave Gillan will leave the organisation.

Rigby said:"I have spent the last two months listening to our customers and learning more about their needs.

It has become apparent to me that there are great opportunities for growth for GAB Robins but to take advantage of these prospects,it is essential to reshape our business to become closer to our customers...and make us more attractive to prospective clients."

He added:"To achieve these goals for 2006 we have promoted Vic Noble...and GAB Robins organisational structure will become flatter and,as a result,Trevor Latimer,Graham Smart and Dave Gillan will leave GAB Robins."

Noble,who joined GAB Robins from Royal and Sunalliance's loss adjusting arm PCS in 2004,will head up GAB Robins UK claims service and will be based in Manchester.

As GAB Robins operations director -field force for both personal and commercial lines,Noble was key to GAB Robins ' response to the Carlisle floods in 2005.