Aviva announces duo of distribution leadership appointments

Aviva has made two new appointments to its distribution leadership team to build on the structural changes made to the SME and distribution leadership teams earlier this year (7 July 2023).

A statement, released yesterday (4 September 2023), confirmed that Rebecca Gambrell would take up the newly created role of portfolio director in December this year, with Sharon Boobyer promoted to chief operating officer for SME and distribution, with effect from 1 October.

The insurer said it had made the appointments in a bid to drive growth and bring “increased focus” to its visibility, responsiveness and delivery for brokers and their customers.

Previous structural changes made earlier in the year saw new underwriting director roles created in Aviva’s global corporate and specialty (GCS) division, with a raft of changes made to Aviva’s distribution division.

These changes included the appointment of Ryan Birbeck to the position of broker development director, with Michelle Taylor joining as strategic accounts director in January 2024. 

New focus

In her new role, Gambrell will “identify and deliver growth opportunities in new and existing markets” via her ability to bring a “greater technical focus and performance oversight of Aviva’s SME portfolio,” according to the insurer.

Gambrell began her career with Zurich in 2009 and most recently held the position of head of personal lines and manging general agents (MGAs) at Zurich.

Boobyer, on the other hand, will maintain responsibility for the operation and “strategic transformation” of the distribution and underwriting teams.

Currently head of SME commercial change, systems and transformation at Aviva, Boobyer brings 33 years of commercial insurance experience to her new position from a wide range of disciplines.

Gambrell and Boobyer will report to Dave Martin, managing director for general insurance distribution and SME trading at Aviva.

Martin commented: “Sharon and Rebecca’s appointments cement a strong, diverse leadership team, combining expertise with innovation and a genuine desire to deliver for brokers and their customers.

“I’m confident that we have the right ingredients to continue to grow and succeed in commercial lines and further increase our visibility and responsiveness for the brokers and partners we work with.”