Aviva today announces the appointment of Helen Heslop as chief financial officer and Patrick Dixneuf as chief operations officer for Aviva Europe with effect from 1 January 2011.
Aviva today announces the appointment of Helen Heslop as chief financial officer and Patrick Dixneuf as chief operations officer for Aviva Europe with effect from 1 January 2011. Helen and Patrick, who will both be based in Paris, will join the European executive committee reporting to Andrea Moneta, chief executive, Aviva EMEA.
Helen joins from General Electric where she was chief financial officer responsible for Western Europe at GE Capital Global Banking. Helen joined GE Capital Global Banking, in 2000 and has held a number of CFO posts across Europe and Asia. Helen previously held senior finance roles at QBE International Insurance and started her career at Price Waterhouse. She is an economics graduate from New Hall College, Cambridge, UK. Helen replaces Tim Harris who has been appointed Aviva deputy group chief financial officer and chief capital officer.
Patrick joins from Allianz where he was head of group operations responsible for organisational and operational management including the creation of new platforms and shared services. Patrick joined AGF (Assurances Générales de France), a majority-owned Allianz business, in 2000 and was appointed CFO in 2006. He was subsequently made COO of Allianz France following the 2007 buyout of AGF’s minority shareholding. Prior to AGF, Patrick held roles at Paribas, Goal Technologies and Alcatel. He is a graduate of Ecole Polytechnique, Université de Paris V and Université de Paris VI.
Andrea Moneta said: “I am delighted that Helen and Patrick are joining my team – they are two high-calibre appointments for Aviva Europe as we intensify our focus on the region. Their considerable experience and business acumen will lead Aviva Europe through the next stages of its development and I am convinced that both will make a strong contribution to our Quantum Leap transformation programme.”
Helen Heslop said: “The European insurance market has unique growth opportunities and finance has a key role in helping Aviva seize them. I will be focusing on continuing the integration of the finance function across the region into a single, strong and efficient pan-European operation.”
Patrick Dixneuf said: “I am excited about the contribution I can make to develop a successful, innovative and efficient operations function that will be central to meeting the needs of our customers and distribution partners. My aim is to ensure that Aviva’s focus and commitment to its customers continues to be realised through first-class operations support.”
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Media enquiries:
Jon Bunn, corporate affairs director, Aviva Europe
+44 (0)20 7662 3101
Andrew Reid, group head of media relations, Aviva plc
+44 (0)20 7662 3131
Notes to editors:
- Aviva is the world’s sixth largest* insurance group, serving 53 million customers across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific
- Aviva's main business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £45.1 billion and funds under management of £379 billion at 31 December 2009
- Aviva operates in Europe with a clear two part strategy to capture the considerable opportunity in the region: firstly Aviva Europe’s "Quantum Leap" which is transforming the previously federated system of 12 companies into a single, effective and efficient pan-European business (Aviva Europe SE) and, secondly, the strategic development of our 58% holding in Delta Lloyd following the IPO in November 2009
- In 2009, Aviva Europe generated £16.3 billion of sales (36% of group total) through its retail and bancassurance distribution channels making a significant contribution to value creation and delivering £797 million IFRS operating profit
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* based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2009