Aviva plc, the international savings, investments and insurance group, today announces that Simon Machell has become the new chief executive of the Asia Pacific region.
- New regional team leads growth in region
Aviva plc ("Aviva"), the international savings, investments and insurance group, today announces that Simon Machell has become the new chief executive of the Asia Pacific region. This follows Aviva's recent announcement on its restructure into four regions to reflect the increasingly multi-national nature of the group's business. The Aviva Asia Pacific region includes Australia, China, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Middle East.
In his new role, Simon reports to Andrew Moss, group chief executive, Aviva plc. Simon is also a member of the Aviva Group Executive Committee.
On the regionalisation, Simon commented: "Aviva had a group of diverse businesses in Asia and Australia that it has brought together in the new regional structure. This will give us scale and provides greater focus to share expertise, experience and infrastructure."
Simon, 43, joins from Norwich Union Insurance (NUI) where he was its chief executive before taking this role to lead Aviva's Asia Pacific businesses. NUI is UK's largest general insurance business that covers an insurance and motoring services business with a premium of approximately £6 billion and nearly 22,000 staff.
Andrew Moss, group chief executive, Aviva plc said: "Simon has a great track record of delivery in the Aviva group. This positions him well to lead the Asia Pacific region as we seek to develop our Asia Pacific business as an increasingly significant part of the Aviva group."
Simon said: " This role provides me a unique chance to draw on the skills I have developed in every component of my career. Our presence in Asia Pacific has a foundation in place and enormous opportunities, and I look forward to working with the entire team to build our presence and drive our growth."
In tandem with Simon's appointment, a new regional leadership team was also announced. "The Asia Pacific markets represent fantastic growth opportunities for us and I am pleased to say that I have a great team to work with to achieve this."
Under Simon's leadership, the Asia Pacific senior management team will comprise:
- Charles Anderson, business development director. Charles was previously managing director for Asia. Charles has successfully helped to build a long term savings and investments business in Asia. As a result, it has created significant value for the Aviva Group. In his new role, besides business development, Charles will also be responsible for our growth in China.
- Craig Brackenrig, finance director. Craig joins the Aviva Asia Pacific region from Aviva Australia, where he was its chief financial officer.
- Marie Sigsworth, human resources director. Marie was previously HR director for Norwich Union Insurance.
- Amy Hoe, IT & operations director. Amy was previously from CIGNA Asia Pacific where she has been performing a global role in IT and customer services.
- Allan Griffiths, CEO Australia. Aside from Australia, Allan will also have responsibility for our growth in Taiwan and Malaysia. Both Christopher Knight and Ho Ming Heng continue to head as CEOs of Taiwan and Malaysia respectively.
- Bert Paterson, CEO India & Sri Lanka
- Keith Perkins, CEO Singapore, Hong Kong & Middle East. Simon Phipps continues to head Aviva's Hong Kong operations as general manager.
All appointments are with immediate effective.
Simon added: "Aviva is increasingly a global integrated business and the way we manage our operations will now reflect this. I'm excited to be working with such a talented executive team. Together we will continue to drive aggressive, high-quality growth for Aviva. We have a strong and well-balanced portfolio of businesses and our prospects are excellent."
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Enquiries:
Jessica Lee - Aviva Asia Pacific
Telephone: +65 63217728; +65 97698261 (HP)
E-mail: jessica_lee@aviva-asia.com
Notes to editors:
- On 23 April 2007 Aviva announced a new regional operating structure, comprising UK, Europe, Asia Pacific and North America.
- Aviva is the leading provider 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 2006.
- Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
- In Asia Pacific, Aviva operates in Australia, China, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Middle East. Aviva sells its products and services via a multi-distribution model including direct sales force, brokers, independent financial advisers and bancassurance.
- The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and product information and a news release archive. A photograph of Simon Machell is available from the Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com