Pest control company Rentokil Initial is to reorganise its management structure under new chief executive James Wilde.

The move follows Mr Wilde's promotion to replace Sir Clive Thompson, the FT-SE 100's longest serving chief executive, who stepped down in January after 20 years in the job.

Rentokil, based in East Grinstead, West Sussex, will be structured along sector rather than geographic lines in an effort to offer "greater sensitivity" to customer demand and enable the company to be more flexible.

Four sectors, each headed by a sector managing director reporting to Mr Wilde, have been introduced compared with the six regions under the old structure.

The central marketing function has been discontinued, with each sector taking responsibility for its own marketing.

Main board director Edward Brown, previously marketing director, has been made a senior managing director.

Mr Wilde said: "This new structure will help us maintain and develop our market positions and build on our competitive advantage of delivering constant, high-quality service."

Further details of the reorganisation will be given when Rentokil reports its 2002 preliminary results on February 27.