BOSSES at LV= have launched an annual marketing internship as tribute to Guy Hedger.

Mr Hedger, who was 61, was murdered at his home in Castlewood, St Ives, in the early hours of April 30 last year.

He had worked for the insurance company at its County Gate headquarters since 2006, when it was known as Liverpool Victoria, and led its rebranding to LV=. His work included the design of the well-known green heart logo.

It has now been decided to launch an internship in his name to honour his contribution.

Mr Hedger, who often mentored young colleagues, also worked as marketing director at the Avonbourne Enterprise Trust, which runs colleges and a primary school in Bournemouth.

Richard Rowney, chief executive of LV=, said staff had wished to recognise Mr Hedger's "strong passion" for education and marketing.

“Guy was a very talented and creative marketer who played a fundamental role in creating the LV= brand and our iconic green heart," he said.

"We wanted to do something long-lasting to recognise Guy’s work and establish an enduring tribute to him.

"He was passionate about education and the nurturing of talent and many of our people talk about the impact he had on their careers through mentoring and coaching.

"Reflecting these joint passions we have established the Guy Hedger Annual Marketing Internship which will provide on-the-job experience as well as the funding and support required for professional marketing qualifications to a successful applicant each year.”

Successful applicants will join Mr Hedger's team at the Bournemouth office.

Jason Baccus, 42, of Verney Close, Bournemouth, and Kevin Downton, 40, of Winterborne Stickland, near Blandford, were found guilty on Monday following a 40-day trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The two were sentenced to life in prison, and will serve at least 34 years each before they can be released.

In a victim impact statement read aloud to the court, Mr Hedger's husband Simon Hedger-Cooper said: "The memory of Guy lives on in his work. The LV= heart which he designed and the slightly off-the-wall adverts – all a mark of his creative genius and reminders of his professional success.

"Guy saw the best in everyone and was a keen advocate of the young. He would have been humbled and honoured to know that LV= is establishing a bursary in his name and that the academy, which he devoted much of his time and skills to, is naming an enterprise award after him."