Aviva UK life boss steps down

Andy Briggs

He will remain with the group until 23 October 2019 to support an orderly transition, with Angela Darlington, currently Aviva’s group chief risk officer, will becoming his interim replacement.  

Mr Briggs joined the board of Aviva in April 2015 to lead its enlarged UK Life business following the acquisition of Friends Life where he was group chief executive.  

Since then he has “brought together the businesses in the UK, built a strong leadership team and delivered solid financial results”, the firm said. 

He has also played an important role as chair of the Association of British Insurers and the Government Business Champion for Older Workers. 

With Mr Brigg’s moving on, recently-appointment CEO Maurice Tulloch will now lead a review of Aviva’s UK businesses to ensure the appropriate management structure to build on that success for the future.

Mr Tulloch will bring more business unit leaders on to the group’s senior leadership team in order to broaden it.

Angela Darlington joined Aviva in 2001 and has extensive experience of the UK business, including as chief risk officer of UK Life and has held a number of senior finance and actuarial roles. Her appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

Colm Holmes, CEO of Aviva Canada and Global Corporate & Speciality, and Patrick Dixneuf, who becomes CEO of Aviva’s European businesses and remains as CEO of Aviva France, will join Aviva’s Leadership Team. 

As a result, Aviva will not seek to appoint a new CEO International (the role filled by Maurice Tulloch before he became Group CEO).

Maurice Tulloch, Chief Executive Officer of Aviva, said: “These appointments are an important first step to bring greater energy, pace and commercial thinking to Aviva.

“Andy Briggs will be missed. Andy is a brilliant leader and a good friend. Aviva has benefited enormously from his extensive industry experience and his integrity and we wish him well for the future. I look forward to working with him during the transitionary period.”

Sir Adrian Montague, Chairman of Aviva, said: “Andy has made a great contribution to Aviva’s business since he joined the Group following the acquisition of Friends Life in 2015.  On behalf of the Board, I would like to pay particular tribute to Andy for his conduct throughout the process to select a new CEO and afterwards, and Andy will leave with our best wishes for his future career.”