Australia: Dedicated call centre for IFAs

Navigator has launched a telephone centre dedicated to supporting independent financial advisers.

Designed to assist independent financial advisers with regular questions regarding their business and clients, the Navigator call centre has staff skilled in all financial service products, including superannuation, life insurance and other investment products.

Advisers can simply call 1 800 442 942 to receive immediate and accurate Navigator product information.

Paul Northey, general manager Navigator, said he was very pleased to launch a new initiative tailored at assisting independent financial advisers with their pressing business issues and questions.

"At Navigator we are continually enhancing our service to advisers. We believe advisers require tailored, product-specific information quickly so it certainly makes sense to have a dedicated call centre to support their needs."

The introduction of the call centre complements the Navigator web site, www.navigator.com.au. The online service provides product information and specific client details in a secure section for independent financial advisers.

"I am sure independent financial advisers using the dedicated call centre will quickly notice the standard of service available. Our team are specialists with in-depth expertise of the Navigator offer will be providing the best possible support for both advisers and their clients," said Paul.

Individual customers can also contact Navigator by phone on 1800 653 710, where they will receive up to date information about their investments.

Paul Northey is available for interview.

For further information, please contact:

Simon Morgan, Group General Manager Public Affairs (03) 9829 8892 0407 966 632

Note to editors:

• Norwich Union Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies; Navigator and Norwich Union Life. Portfolio Partners, the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc, is a sister company to Norwich Union. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation, wealth management and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
• Norwich Union Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world's seventh-largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK. It is the leading provider of life and pensions products to Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales from continuing operations of A$ 77.3 billion, and more than A$593 billion of assets under management (as at 31 December 2002). The group has more than 59,000 employees and 25 million customers worldwide.
• This document does not contain all the terms and conditions attaching to product benefits and options. For a full list of terms and conditions please refer to the offer document. A policy for insurance cover or an application for an issue of an interest as described in this document can only be effected after completion of the application form contained in a current offer document for the product.
• The information in this document reflects Norwich Union's understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. The information is not, nor is it intended, to be comprehensive or a substitute for professional advice on specific circumstances.
• The securities advice or information given in this document is of a general nature and has not taken into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. Before making an investment decision on the basis of the advice above, a prospective investor needs to consider, with or without the assistance of a professional adviser whether the advice is appropriate in the light of their particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.