Australia: Distribution reorganisation

Aviva Australia chief executive officer Allan Griffiths today announced a new streamlined distribution structure for its life insurance and Navigator lines of business designed to further enhance product delivery and promote cohesion within the team.

Shaun Williams has been appointed general manager – group business development, and Paul Northey is to take the role of general manager – group marketing and distribution development.

Mr Griffiths said, “Shaun will lead our national sales team, manage our dealergroup support function n-able, and develop our leadership group strategy.

“Paul will have responsibility for alliances, Planit and distribution strategy, while maintaining involvement with our key distribution relationships.

"In essence, Paul and his team will be responsible for working closely with the business and delivering the tools for Shaun and our distribution network to take to the market. Both will report to myself,” he said.

Paul Greenwood has accepted the new position of national sales manager reporting to Shaun Williams.

Mr Griffiths said he had now appointed one state manager in each capital city who is charged with responsibility for all distribution. Reporting to Paul Greenwood, they are:

• Scott Daubeny – Victoria and Tasmania
• Richard Bellis – New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory
• Nick Parsons – Queensland
• Dale Wright – South Australia and Northern Territory
• Tony Femia – Western Australia.

“I believe this is the most effective structure to see Aviva and Navigator through the Financial Services Reform (FSR) programme that is underway industry-wide. We now have the right team in place and I am confident they will deliver a high level of service to our advisers,” said Mr Griffiths.

For further information please contact:
Simon Morgan
(03) 9829 8892
0407 966 632

Note to editors:

• Aviva Australia Ltd is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Created by Graphics Portfolio Partners, the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc, is a sister company. 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.
• Globally, Aviva Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world’s seventh-largest insurance group, the largest insurer in the UK and one of the top five life companies in Europe. Aviva was formed in May 2000 through the global merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc.
• Aviva is the world's seventh-largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK. It is a 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$68.32 billion, and more than A$488 billion of assets under management (as at 1 July 2003). The group has more than 59,000 employees and 25 million customers worldwide.