Aviva's UK head Briggs departs as new CEO Tulloch overhauls top management

Aviva's director and UK insurance CEO Andy Briggs has stepped down with immediate effect after the company announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team in a bid to bring "greater energy, pace and commercial thinking".

The changes come following the recent appointment of Maurice Tulloch as Aviva's new group chief executive officer, replacing Mark Wilson.

Briggs will remain with the group for the next six months until October to support an orderly transition. Post that, Tulloch will lead a review of the UK businesses to ensure the appropriate management structure.

Meanwhile, Angela Darlington, who is currently Aviva’s group chief risk officer, will become interim CEO of UK insurance.

Aviva will not seek to appoint a new international CEO - the role filled by Tulloch before he became group CEO. Instead, Tulloch will focus on bringing more business unit leaders on to the group’s senior leadership team in an effort to broaden it.

Colm Holmes and Patrick Dixneuf will be the latest to join Aviva’s leadership team.

Holmes is the CEO of Aviva Canada and Global Corporate & Speciality. Dixneuf will become CEO of Aviva’s European businesses and remain as CEO of Aviva France.

"These appointments are an important first step to bring greater energy, pace and commercial thinking to Aviva," said Tulloch. "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."

Adrian Montague, chairman of Aviva, added: “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.”

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