Aviva unveils new senior management structure

Aviva has unveiled a new organisational structure and senior management team for its UK business.

The insurer yesterday announced a series of appointments across its UK life and general insurance divisions, which will be brought together under a single chief executive, Mark Hodges, from January 1 2010.

The changes include establishing a new four-strong leadership team for the national operations, reporting to Mr Hodges.

The team will comprise new chief executives for the life and general insurance division, a new UK commercial director and UK chief risk officer.

David McMillan, currently chief operating officer of UK general insurance, has been appointed as chief executive of the division, while the new UK life chief executive will be Toby Strauss, currently chief operating officer of the business.

Cathryn Riley, chief operating and information officer for Aviva's European business, will take up the role of UK commercial director, responsible for developing opportunities for the two UK businesses to work more effectively together.

The only external appointment in the leadership team is Craig Thornton, managing director of the UK life and health reinsurance business at Swiss Re, who becomes UK chief risk officer.

His post will include responsibility for leading the risk management and governance agenda of the UK business.

The new structure is aimed at helping Aviva achieve benefits of scale through a “shared approach” to customers in the two divisions, and maintain momentum in both businesses towards simplification, efficiency and improved customer service.

Mark Hodges, shortly to become UK CEO, said: “This new structure will underpin Aviva's future growth in the UK, releasing the full potential of our brand and scale as the UK's leading insurer.

“By bringing our UK businesses closer together under a single and highly experienced leadership team we can serve our customers, partners and our people more effectively and deliver profitable growth.”

Norwich will remain head office for the general insurance division, while Aviva's life and healthcare businesses will continue to be run from York and Eastleigh respectively.

The company has also unveiled a new seven-strong UK life executive team, including new chief operating officer David Barral, and seven members of the new UK general insurance executive, including Clifford Abrahams as finance director from March 1 2010.