Schimel replaces Maso as Aviva France boss

Aviva has replaced its former France chief executive Philippe Maso with L’Union Financière de France (UFF) chairman and chief executive Nicolas Schimel (pictured).

Schimel was also a member of the Aviva France Executive and Strategic committee before taking on his new role. Maso resigned from Aviva in late December, and was the head of AXA UK before that.

Aviva chairman John McFarlane said: “I am delighted that Nicolas Schimel has agreed to step into this important role. He has an intimate knowledge of not only the French financial services landscape but even more importantly Aviva’s operations locally, making him the natural candidate to lead the business. I am confident that Nicolas’s appointment will be well received by our people, our customers and our business partners.”

Schimel said: “I am very pleased to have been asked to take on this role, and excited by the prospects for Aviva in France. We have an excellent franchise and outstanding people, and I’m looking forward to working with them to deliver outstanding results for our three million customers, our business partners and all other stakeholders. My colleagues of the executive and strategic committee and myself are ready to face the challenges of 2013.”