Aviva, the international savings and investment group, today announced the appointment of Stuart Purdy as group chief executive of its Irish business, Hibernian group, with effect from 31 January 2007.
Aviva, the international savings and investment group, today announced the appointment of Stuart Purdy as group chief executive of its Irish business, Hibernian group, with effect from 31 January 2007. Purdy (44) will succeed Bryan Jenkins who is scheduled to retire on this date.
Purdy was appointed deputy group chief executive of Hibernian in September 2006. He joined Aviva in 1985 and was most recently managing director of Aviva India, which he led as the 12th entrant into the newly deregulated India life market in 2002. Aviva is now the sixth largest private player in the India life market, with 29 bancassurance partnerships and a direct sales force of 12,000. Prior to this, Purdy established CGU’s life business in Ireland.
Hibernian is the largest composite insurer in Ireland, ranking first in the general insurance market and number three in life and pensions. Early in 2006 Hibernian established a joint venture with Allied Irish Bank, Ireland’s largest bank, establishing bancassurance distribution for Aviva in Ireland.
Tidjane Thiam, chief executive, Aviva Europe said: “The rapid expansion which Aviva India has undergone since 2002 reflects Stuart’s commitment and approach to delivering results. Stuart’s leadership qualities and experience will be of enormous benefit in guiding Hibernian in the next phase of its development. Under Bryan Jenkins’ stewardship, Hibernian has achieved the scale and competitiveness it enjoys today. Stuart will build on this in taking Hibernian to the next phase of its growth and development.”
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Notes to editors:
- Aviva is one of the leading providers of life and pensions to Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world’s fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2005.
- Aviva’s principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of Ł36 billion and assets under management of Ł322 billion at 31 December 2005.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.