Aviva appoints head of UK life and general business

by Gill Montia

Story link: Aviva appoints head of UK life and general business

Aviva has announced that it is bringing together its UK life and general insurance businesses under the leadership of Mark Hodges, who has been appointed chief executive officer UK, effective from 1st January 2010.

The insurer says both units have been reshaped under the leadership of Mark Hodges and Igal Mayer (respectively) over the past two years.

During the period significant improvements in customer service have been delivered, profitability has increased and the businesses are on track to deliver cost savings of £450 million by 2010.

Bringing the businesses together under a single chief executive should create further scale benefits and underpin future growth; however the underlying strategies of the businesses remain unchanged.

Aviva group chief executive, Andrew Moss, comments: “Igal and Mark have done a great job in getting the best from our UK businesses and making them fit for the future.”

He adds: “The time is now right to bring them closer together to maximise their full potential in our home market.”

As part of the reshuffle, Mr Mayer will be moving on to become chief executive officer, North America, following the retirement of Tom Godlasky.

He will be tasked with leading Aviva’s businesses in the USA and Canada to the next stage of their development.

Finally, Robin Spencer has been appointed chief risk officer and member of Aviva’s executive committee.