Aviva chief to join Africa charity

Aviva group chief executive Richard Harvey is to carry out voluntary work in Africa after he leaves the company in July.

Harvey, who is set to retire from Aviva on 11 July, has confirmed that he will join Concern Universal, an international relief and development charity based in Hereford.

He and his wife Kay will travel to Kenya, Mozambique and Malawi with the charity to work in rural communities on a number of projects including teh installation of sustainable clean water supplies, micro financing projects and education in schools on issues such as HIV/Aids, health and sanitation.

“In the financial services industry we worry about people living longer and out-living their savings. In Malawi, the problems are very different.

Richard Harvey

Harvey said: “We are in the fortunate position of having both the energy and freedom to take the gap year we never had – this is a timely opportunity for us to live and work for a substantial period in Africa. In the financial services industry we worry about people living longer and out-living their savings. In Malawi, the problems are very different. Life expectancy is estimated to be about 37 years and decreasing.

“We looked at volunteering our services to a number of organisations but it was the nature and scale of Concern Universal that appealed to us; the chemistry with the people was good, its cost effective reputation in developing countries excellent; it was large enough for us to make a genuine contribution, but at the same time had the feel and personal approach of a smaller organisation that we were looking for. Their down-to-earth approach will give us the insight and practical experience needed to make a meaningful contribution to the charity sector in the longer term.”