THE move of image-builder John Hung to World International heralds a shake-up of the group's profile and the re-emergence of what was one of Hongkong's best-known companies - Wheelock Marden.
An executive re-shuffle this week will lead to the resurrection of Wheelock Marden & Company, which was once as high profile as Inchcape, Jardine and Hutchison are today.
Mr Hung, executive director of Wharf Holdings, a sister company of World, will take on the post of managing director at Wheelock Marden. He will also become an executive director of World, while retaining his directorship at Wharf at a non-executive level.
Mr Hung has been given much of the credit for transforming Wharf Holding's image from sleeping giant to one of Hongkong's most high-profile companies after spending much of the last two years selling the company's concept to institutions around the world.
Some bankers have called Mr Hung a hype merchant, others say the marketing of Wharf has been a coup. What is certain, though, is that Wharf chairman Peter Woo thinks the same can be done for World International, and at the same time, Wheelock Marden.
The job though goes further than coporate communications. Mr Hung is taking on corporate development at World, while Wharf finance director Edward Cheng will take over his previous duties.