Aberdeen Asset Management has restructured its Australian distribution team, scrapping the main institutional role.

Aberdeen head of institutional business development Stephen Dennis has left, while the firm has reappointed a number of internal staff.

Senior investment specialist Stuart James has been appointed to the newly-created role of deputy head of distribution, where he will oversee the day-to-day operations of Aberdeen's distribution functions.

James would also continue as the local representative of Aberdeen's international equity offerings in the Australian market, the firm said.

He has held various distribution positions during his 15 years with Aberdeen, including the role of head of retail distribution for more than six years.

Aberdeen's current head of retail distribution, Alex Haynes, has been promoted to head of business development. 

Head of institutional client services Amanda Young will head the combined retail and institutional client services teams.

The restructuring followed an internal structural review, which recommended the integration of the institutional and retail business development teams into a single team and a similar integration of the institutional and retail client services functions, the firm said.

Aberdeen managing director and head of distribution Brett Jollie said the measures were not made in an effort to save costs.

"This is not cost driven," Jollie said.

"This is about improving the internal structures and efficiencies in the distribution team to better service our stakeholders internally and our clients externally."

The measures suggest a shift in focus from the institutional business to the retail business.

Aberdeen has had solid inflows over the years and its Australian business managed $18.2 billion as at the end of June 2011 for global and domestic clients in Australian and international equities and fixed income strategies.

As a result, the firm has closed a number of strategies to institutional investors, including its Asian equities and global emerging markets strategies.

The firm is also expected to close its global equities product shortly, leaving few products open to institutional investors.