Amanda Blanc replaces Maurice Tulloch as Aviva’s chief executive

Amanda Blanc is replacing Maurice Tulloch as the chief executive of Aviva, effective immediately – Tulloch has opted to leave the business for family health reasons.

As of today, Tulloch – who joined Aviva in 1992 – has stepped down from his position as chief executive and retired from Aviva’s board. He is to be replaced by industry veteran Amanda Blanc, who is currently acting as an independent non-executive director at the insurer.

Tulloch joined Aviva’s board in 2017 and was appointed chief executive back in March 2019.

Tulloch will now commence a six-month gardening leave period to serve his notice, officially leaving the business on 5 January 2021. During this period, he will receive his normal remuneration and benefits; he will also be available to assist Blanc and ensure an 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 [chief executive]. 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.”

Strategic opportunities

Blanc, who left her role as chair of the ABI last July, has held senior roles at Axa, Towergate, Groupama, and Commercial Union, and chaired the Insurance Fraud Bureau. Most recently, she headed up Zurich’s Europe, Middle East and Africa business – she resigned from this post in July 2019.

Last year, she accepted numerous non-executive director roles, which included her appointment to Aviva’s board in January 2020 and her role as its chair of the Customer, Conduct and Reputation Board Committee.

She also held non-executive director positions at specialist motor insurer ERS and insurtech RightIndem, as well as acted as senior adviser at global insurtech Trõv.

She further accepted a post as the independent chair of Welsh rugby’s Professional Rugby Board (PRB), which enabled her to automatically join the Welsh Rugby Union Board (WRU) too, in December last year.

Aside from her voluntary role as the chair of PRB, Blanc will step down from all other non-executive positions in order to take up the helm at Aviva.

Blanc said: “Aviva is a great company, full of great people, and I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to help shape its future.

“I want Aviva to be the leader in our industry again and the first choice for our customers and partners. My focus will be on achieving that for the benefit of all of our stakeholders.

“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.”