News
France: Aviva appoints seven new general agents
24 June, 2010
Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, has announced the appointment of seven new general agents to its network. After 18 weeks of on-the-job training provided by Aviva and certified by the Institut de Formation de la Profession de l’Assurance (the French Institute for Insurance Education and Training, IFPASS), Aviva’s new general agents have taken up their duties in the following offices:
- Myriam Hericotte, in Arras (62)
- Patrice Marcadella, in Briey & Longwy (54)
- Cyril Boivin, in Champagnole (39)
- Florian Croix, in St Amand Montrond & Levet (18)
- Patrick Gouwy, in Caen (14)
- Emmanuel Marty, in Fousseret (31)
- Nicolas Kerninon, in Fousseret (31)
Recruitment of Aviva general agents on the rise since 2002
Since 2002, Aviva has been implementing a highly active general agent recruitment policy. In fact, Aviva is the only company in the market to have significantly increased its number of agents (812 in 2003, 850 in 2005, 875 in 2007). The ideal candidate could be a man or a woman, will have at least two years' university education and a successful track record in a professional commercial setting.
Academic qualifications are not the most important consideration: a relevant career path and sales experience are real assets. It is also very important for the candidate to be well established locally: "being from the area" and understanding the specific character of a region facilitates relations with future customers.
IFPASS-certified training that combines theoretical and on-the-job components
In view of the upsurge in recruitment, the increasing specialisation of the insurance sector and different approaches to branch management, Aviva has designed a training programme adapted to this new context. The training programme allows agents to continue to perform effectively whilst acquiring new skills.
Immediately after their recruitment they undergo thorough introductory training, supplemented by a second phase of training that offers them the opportunity to specialise. Throughout their careers, Aviva’s regional managers are on hand to guide agents and train them in new products and technologies.
The training programme for new general agents lasts 18 weeks. It is based on alternating training, combining theoretical modules with onsite training in branches. Candidates’ knowledge is tested on an ongoing basis throughout the process. Assessment is carried out by the training team. Successful trainees are awarded a diploma certified by Aviva Assurances and IFPASS.
For two years after taking up their posts, general agents follow a complementary training programme intended to build on aspects of the profession in which they have acquired a basic grounding. This gives them the necessary independence, particularly within the context of the delegation of powers.
The “Good Advice” approach, a key element for Aviva general agents
In France, long-term customer satisfaction is a key lever for growth. Aviva has invested heavily in this area and continues to do so. The company is gradually extending its policy of personal guidance for customers, known as the “Good advice” approach, to all of its distribution networks.
This approach consists of offering customers solutions and services that truly meet their expectations and monitoring their situation regularly to make changes to policies if necessary. The general agents are responsible for ensuring that this approach is applied properly.
Myriam Hericotte, appointed Aviva general agent for Arras (62)
Myriam Héricotte, 42, is keen to utilise her passion for networking and her customer service skills for the Arras office, where she takes over from Mr Heusele.
Patrice Marcadella, appointed Aviva general agent for Briey & Longwy (54)
With a solid background in bancassurance and with a good instinct for customer service, Patrice Marcadella has decided to further his professional career by taking over the reins at Aviva’s Briey and Longwy offices.
Cyril Boivin, appointed Aviva general agent for Champagnole (39)
Cyril Boivin, 29, has years of experience as office manager. He is keen to make the most of his expertise at Aviva’s Champagnole office.
Florian Croix, appointed Aviva general agent for St Amand Montrond & Levet (18)
With years of experience in customer management in the bancassurance sector, Florian Croix (36) wants to apply his skills in the St Amand Montrond and Levet offices, where he joins Magalie Jamet.
Patrick Gouvy, appointed Aviva general agent for Caen (14)
With considerable commercial experience in the automotive sector, Patrick Gouwy, 35, will expand the customer portfolio for the Caen office.
Emmanuel Marty, appointed Aviva general agent for Fousseret (31)
Emmanuel Marty, 29, is keen to apply his commercial experience and customer management skills at the Fousseret office, where he joins Nicolas Kerninon.
Nicolas Kerninon, appointed Aviva general agent for Fousseret (31)
With solid commercial experience in the automotive sector and a good instinct for customer service, Nicolas Kerninon, 32, will work with Emmanuel Marty on expanding the customer portfolio at the Fousseret office.
-ends-
Press officers:
Karim Mokrane (Aviva)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 76 62 76 85
E-mail: karim_mokrane@aviva.fr
Valérie Dudoit (HDL Communication)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 58 65 20 16
E-mail: vdudoit@hdlcom.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group*, with more than 53 million customers across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Aviva’s principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. As at 31 December 2009, Aviva had a total turnover of €51.3 billion, with €426 billion of assets under management.
Aviva is the largest insurer in the United Kingdom and one of the leading providers of life insurance and pension products in Europe. The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media contains images and all the press releases and product information for the Aviva Group.
Videos are available at www.aviva.com/media/video/.
You can follow Aviva on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/avivaplc.
With more than 180 years’ experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France has a solid and profitable multi-distribution model based on a comprehensive range of products, mainly intended for consumers and SMEs. Some 900 insurance agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, almost 900 wealth management advisers (Union Financière de France) and more than 1,000 active partner brokers are on hand to serve three million customers every day.
Aviva has developed unique expertise in building effective partnerships for the benefit of its clients, particularly with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord, Société Générale and Ford groups. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds, the quality and innovation of its products, and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach.
Aviva France is a socially responsible company and has developed initiatives that include reducing and neutralising its CO2 emissions, supporting more than 250 projects to help children and the elderly through the Aviva Foundation, and implementing an acclaimed diversity policy.
The Aviva Group directly employs more than 4,700 staff in France.
As at 31 December 2009, Aviva France reported consolidated sales of €6.7 billion and an IFRS-based net profit of €390 million. The company had €77.4 billion of assets under management as at 31 December 2009.
* Based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.
