Aviva Canada CEO Tulloch appointed to lead insurer’s UK & Ireland General Insurance business

Aviva plc has appointed Maurice Tulloch, current CEO of Aviva Canada, as CEO of Aviva UK & Ireland General Insurance.

Tulloch joined Aviva in 1992 and was appointed CEO of the Canadian business in 2009. Under his leadership since then, operating profits in the Canadian business have grown by 63% and the combined operating ratio has improved from 100% to 92%, according to Aviva.

Greg Somerville, executive vice president of broker distribution for Aviva Canada, will lead the Canadian business while the selection of Tulloch’s replacement proceeds.

Robin Spencer, who was CEO of UK & Ireland GI, will be leaving the Group at the end of the month.

UK & Ireland GI and Canada are Aviva’s largest general insurance businesses and are two of the company’s key cash flow generators alongside UK Life and Aviva France.  As CEO of UK & Ireland GI, Tulloch will work closely with David Barral, the CEO of Aviva’s UK Life business.                                                                   

Aviva has made several changes to its management team during 2013. New executives have been brought into Aviva and others have been promoted from within the business. Some of the principal appointments include: Christine Deputy (Group HR Director), Khor Hock Seng (CEO Aviva Asia), David McMillan (CEO Aviva Europe), Nick Amin (Transformation Director), and Euan Munro (CEO Aviva Investors).  Key senior appointments have also been made in Ireland, Poland and Investor Relations.

Tulloch’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

“One of my priorities since becoming CEO has been to strengthen Aviva’s management team and ensure we have the right people in the right jobs,” noted Mark Wilson, group CEO. “Maurice Tulloch is a first class executive who will bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise and energy to his new role in the UK & Ireland general insurance business.”

“Maurice has an impeccable track record – Aviva’s Canadian operating profits have grown by 63% under his leadership. He is the best leader to take the UK business to the next stage of its development.

“Robin has done a fine job for the Group, most recently leading the UK & Ireland GI business through the transformation and expense savings programme.  I would like to thank Robin for his considerable contribution to Aviva and he leaves the Group with our best wishes for his future endeavours.”

“I am delighted to be leading the UK & Ireland GI business – a business with a rich history and immense potential,” Tulloch said. “I have been working in partnership with the business for some time and have great admiration for the brand and the people.  I am looking forward over the coming weeks to meeting with the UK team and our business partners.  

“I believe strongly we have a tremendous opportunity to build on our collective successes of the past and to unlock the full potential of our people and the market opportunity.”