Aviva’s Nick Major and Simon Mobey step down

Aviva has revealed c-suite changes within its UK general insurance (UKGI) business following commercial lines managing director Nick Major opting to leave the insurer after a five-year tenure.

In addition, managing director of Aviva Private Clients (APC) Simon Mobey has decided to take early retirement from the end of this year, following the acquisition and integration of Axa XL’s private client book in March 2021.

Aviva’s chief executive of UK and Ireland general insurance, Adam Winslow, said that the insurer’s team is “sorry to see Nick and Simon go”.

He continued: “Major has been instrumental in driving our commercial lines growth and we wish him well and thank him for his contribution to Aviva.

“Simon has been critical to the success of setting up and leading our extended private clients team and we wish him every success for the future.”

C-suite reshuffle

Following Major’s departure, Aviva’s commercial lines business will now be organised around two core markets. These are:

• SME - including mid-market, digital, regional specialty lines, micro and direct.
• Global corporate and specialty (GCS).

With this in mind, Aviva’s chief distribution officer Gareth Hemming will become managing director of UKGI distribution and SME, adding oversight of the insurer’s SME business onto his existing responsibilities.

Hemming will continue to report to Winslow.

The insurer’s distribution strategy, focused on a single view of broker relationships, will continue unchanged.

Aviva’s director of global corporate and specialty, Matthew Washington, will become managing director of UKGI commercial lines underwriting and GCS.

In terms of APC, current chief underwriting officer Ann Owen will become its managing director.

Winslow said: “I’m confident that the changes we’ve made to our structure will bring even greater focus on our key markets, helping to accelerate Aviva’s growth.

“They will also support our appetite for new business, place additional emphasis and attention on the commitments we’ve made to brokers and deliver on our ambitious plans for our customers.”