Aviva reshuffles UK GI management

Aviva is reshuffling its management with the elimination of the post of chief executive of UK General Insurance, and the appointment of Rob Townend (pictured) to lead the UK GI business.

Colm Holmes, currently in that role, has been appointed president and chief executive of Aviva Canada, from where he will also continue to lead Aviva’s global corporate and specialty business.

Townend, currently Aviva’s UK Claims Director, has been appointed managing director of Aviva UK GI.

In his new role Townend will report to Andy Briggs, Aviva UK Insurance chief executive.

Townend will focus on driving continued excellence in general insurance, particularly in product design, pricing, claims and underwriting to provide customers with the insurance that best protects them, their families, their businesses and the things they value, Aviva said.

Phil Bayles will continue in his role as managing director of UK intermediaries, taking on the additional responsibility for leading the trading strategy.

Patrick Tiernan, currently Aviva chief financial officer of global corporate and specialty will move to the new role of managing director of global corporate and specialty UK and Europe.

Andrew Morrish, currently Aviva’s UK motor claims and technology director, will move to the role of UK GI claims director.

Briggs said: “Under Colm’s leadership, Aviva’s UK general insurance has gone from strength to strength. He has been responsible for driving strong growth in both revenue and profit, as well as achieving high customer satisfaction and developing new insurance products that help our customers manage the risks of everyday life.

“These appointments reflect the quality and depth of our management team across Aviva. I’d like to thank Colm for his contribution to our UK business, and I look forward to continuing to evolve and simplify our UK business around the changing needs of our customers.”