Pension provider Aviva has appointed Amanda Blanc as chief executive, replacing Maurice Tulloch who has stepped down after a year in the role.
Ms Blanc is currently a non-executive director at the firm, having joined the board at the start of this year.
Prior to joining Aviva, she was chief executive of Zurich Insurance’s European, Middle East and Africa business but resigned after only eight months, although no reason was given for her departure.
She also previously ran Axa’s UK and Ireland business and has served as the chairwoman of the Association of British Insurers and president of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Previously she held executive jobs at Towergate Insurance Brokers and Groupama Insurance Company.
Ms Blanc joins at a time when Covid-19 continues to affect the business.
She said: “We will look at all our strategic opportunities, and at pace. I have been on the Aviva board since the start of this year and have a good understanding of where the business has its strengths and what actions we should take across our portfolio.”
Aviva said Mr Tulloch has stepped down due to family health reasons.
Mr Tulloch joined Aviva in 1992 and held a number of senior positions in the business before he joined the board in 2017 and was subsequently appointed chief executive in March last year, replacing Mark Wilson.
He has been placed on garden leave until the end of his six-month notice period on January 5, 2021 but during this time he will assist Ms Blanc with a “planned and orderly transition”.
George Culmer, chairman of Aviva, said: “I would like to thank Maurice for his valuable contribution over many years with Aviva.
"The board and I were saddened to hear of the personal reasons behind his desire to step down and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.
“We are delighted that Amanda will be our new CEO. The board was unanimous in endorsing her appointment. I know she will bring real dynamism to Aviva and re-establish our credentials as a high-performing, innovative and customer-centric business.”
amy.austin@ft.com
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