Prudential's UK and Europe CEO Jackie Hunt leaves firm

* Most high-profile change since group CEO change

* Follows strong unit performance

* Strategy to remain unchanged - source (Adds analyst quote, shares)

By Simon Jessop and Sinead Cruise

LONDON, Oct (HKSE: 3366-OL.HK - news) 21 (Reuters) - The chief executive of insurer Prudential (HKSE: 2378.HK - news) 's UK and Europe business, Jackie Hunt, has left the company with immediate effect, the company said on Wednesday.

She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) will be replaced by Group Investment Director John Foley on an interim basis, Prudential said in a statement, giving no further details.

The move comes less than five months after Mike Wells took over from Tidjane Thiam as group chief executive of Britain's biggest listed insurer, a job for which many in the industry believed Hunt a contender.

The departure is the most high-profile management change since Wells took over and comes after a period of strong performance for the UK and Europe business under the guidance of Hunt. It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) follows the appointment of new regional heads in Asia and North America in June.

"Whilst inevitably there will be speculation over the reason why she has departed we do not think that there is anything untoward happening within the UK business that could have resulted in her surprise departure," said Panmure Gordon analyst Barrie Cornes in a note to clients.

"We suspect that she has been replaced following a clash in personalities with the new Group CEO Mike Wells," he added.

Hunt leaves the UK business in good shape, Prudential (Amsterdam: PD8.AS - news) Chairman Paul Manduca said in the statement. In August, the group posted forecast-beating half-year earnings as operating profit in its UK life business grew 19 percent.

"Jackie has been an important asset to the group during her time at Prudential, navigating our UK business through a time of significant change," said Manduca.

A source familiar with the matter said the strategy of Prudential UK and the broader group would remain the same following Hunt's departure.

Recent press reports have speculated that the company may look to move its headquarters to Asia to be closer to its key growth markets and to offset some strict European regulation.

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in Prudential were down 0.7 percent at 1,498 pence a share at 1516 GMT, in a 0.1 percent weaker FTSE 100. (Editing by Tom Heneghan)