NATION

Philip J. Purcell has been named chairman and chief executive of the Dean Witter Financial Services Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co., Chicago. He succeeds Robert M. Gardiner, who is retiring Aug. 31. Purcell also was elected a Sears director, filling Gardiner’s vacancy.

Sears also named James M. Denny corporate vice president-finance, a newly created position. He was formerly executive vice president and chief financial and planning officer of G. D. Searle & Co.