Plan to close down 26 branches by June 2012

Irish flag

Aviva is closing down all of its branches in Ireland as part of its strategy to reduce its operations in Ireland.

According to reports, Aviva announced last night that it will close of its entire network of 26 branches in Ireland by June next year.

It follows last month’s announcement that 950 staff were to be let go and a further 300 faced possible outsourcing.

Aviva, which is planning to merge its Irish business with the UK, will gradually transfer all existing Irish business to branches in the UK over a year as they come up for renewal.

UK products will be adapted for sale in the Irish market, with limited deviation from UK standards. The 26-branch network will be shut down by the end of June 2012 with the loss of 120 jobs.

Aviva announced yesterday that the chief executive of its Irish operations Dermot Brown is to be replaced by Seán Egan at the end of the year.

Egan previously held the role of chief operating officer of Aviva’s UK general insurance business and is also a member of Aviva’s European executive committee.

In a statement last night, Aviva said: “Aviva announced proposals on October 19th, 2011, to combine Aviva Ireland with Aviva UK to form a new UK and Ireland region with the ambition to become the most competitive insurance provider in Ireland.

“Work continues on the feasibility of our options and no decisions have been made. We are committed to a consultation process and sharing the outcome of our discussions with our employees first.”