Activists urge four Aviva directors to step down

Activist group the Norwich Union Policyholders’ Action Group has called for four Aviva non-executive directors to stand down.

The news comes after shareholder pressure speeded the departure of former chief executive Andrew Moss in May, at the company’s annual general meeting.

The group is calling for the resignations of non-executive directors Mary Francis, Richard Goelz and Russell Walls, who it alleges did not challenge Moss’s vision for the development of Aviva.

It also called for the departure of Scott Wheway, non-executive director and chair of Aviva’s remuneration committee, who it alleges presided over “excessive” board remuneration plans.

The group said the four non-executives should “do the decent thing” and leave the company as soon as possible.