The boss of the Aviva platform business has left following a period of turmoil experienced by users of the platform.
Tim Orton became head of the platform in 2014 and then took on a wider role as managing director of the savings business in July 2017.
In total he spent 22 years working at Aviva, including a spell as chief executive of the Aviva Investors business.
A statement from Aviva read: "Tim Orton has decided to leave Aviva to pursue interests outside the company after 22 years of service with Aviva and we wish him the best for the future."
Clients of the Aviva platform have been beset by a range of problems since the company replatformed last year.
The platform was unavailable for six days in January 2018. Clients were later unable to receive tax certificates, or income, and reported long waiting times on the phone when dealing with the firm.
Its extensive list of problem was similar to that of the Aegon platform whose head of platform, Richard Denning, left in September to "have a break from corporate life".
Mr Orton's role will be filled on an interim basis by Roger Marsden, who is currently managing director of the Aviva's retirement and equity release business.
The company said it is still working through some of the issues that have affected advisers over the past year.
Scott Gallagher, an adviser at Rowley Turton in Leicester, said he has a small number of clients with Aviva but hasn’t experienced any problems of late.
He suggested Mr Orton’s role was to develop Aviva’s platform into a "major player" and this may have caused him to "fall on his sword".
He said: "We’ve not seen any major problems recently nor have I seen any recent grumblings about Aviva on the various online adviser forums.
"With regards to Tim Orton’s departure, I understand that part of his job was to oversee the transformation of Aviva from a secondary platform into a major player so it may be that he has fell on his sword.
"Although it may simply be, that after 22 years with Aviva, he’s due a change."
david.thorpe@ft.com
