Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the appointment of Myriam Saunier as human resources director from 1 September 2009.
Aviva, a major player in life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and non-life insurance, announces the appointment of Myriam Saunier as human resources director from 1 September 2009.
Having obtained a masters in Economics and Management from the University of Rouen and a DEA post-graduate diploma in Human Resource Economics and Employment Policy from the Sorbonne, Myriam Saunier joined the HR Department of the Victoire Group (future Aviva France) in June 1989, following a spell working at Crédit Agricole. Her main tasks have included overseeing developments, particularly mergers, and defining the company’s internal mobility policy, as well as gradually implementing a comprehensive talent management policy. Myriam Saunier had been director of human resource development since 2002.
In her new role as HR director of Aviva France, Myriam Saunier will be responsible for the continued development of an active HR policy in terms of talent management, strengthening the Aviva employer brand and improving leadership. She will also be in charge of driving and overseeing change, as well as promoting diversity and social responsibility. Within the framework of the global "One Aviva, twice the value" strategy, she will work in close conjunction with the other HR departments of the Aviva Group and the Europe region with a view to developing common HR approaches and tools.
Myriam Saunier will continue to report to Philippe Achalme, appointed human resources director for distribution in Europe, from whom she will take over as HR director for France.
Philippe Achalme, who is now in charge of distribution human resources in the 11 countries that make up Aviva Europe, directly supervises HR activities in France, Ireland, Poland, Turkey and the Danube region (Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania). The appointment of Philippe Achalme to this European-level position reflects the active commitment of Aviva France’s teams to building Aviva Europe, in line with the "One Aviva, twice the value" strategy, which aims to reap greater benefits from existing activities.
Philippe Achalme, who is 51 years old, graduated from the prestigious Paris business school ESSEC. He began his career at BASF France in the training and recruitment departments. He then became a semi-conductor sales representative for Texas Instruments France before being appointed Head of Development at France Formation. After that, he joined Spie Batignolles where he was head of human resources at the HQ of the Electricity and Nuclear Division, before creating the position of HR and communication manager at Chantiers Modernes Routes. Next, he spent more than 10 years with Elior Group as HR director, successively for the provincial division of Générale de Restauration, the subsidiary Avenance Enseignement and, lastly, the subsidiary Avenance Enseignement et Santé. From 2005 to 2007, Philippe Achalme was HR director for France at Conforama (PPR Group). He joined Aviva France as HR director in 2008.
Jean-Pierre Menanteau, CEO of Aviva France, said: “I’m pleased that Myriam is taking on full responsibility for human resources in France, within the framework of an ambitious European organisation that is keen to speed up implementation of the policies of the Aviva Group. Her knowledge of the company, her long-standing commitment to the Aviva Group, the trust that the management and her European colleagues have in her, her ability to make and stimulate concrete progress and her situational intelligence will be valuable assets in her new role.”
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Aviva press contacts:
Estelle Joubert
Telephone: +33 (0)1 7662 5786
E-mail: estelle_joubert@aviva.fr
Fanny Bezol (Agence Zap)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 4704 1953
E-mail: fbezol@agencezap.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group*, with 50 million customers throughout Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. Aviva’s principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. At 31 December 2008, Aviva had turnover of €64.3 billion, with €393 billion of assets under management Aviva is the largest insurer in the UK and one of the main providers of life insurance and pension products in Europe. A selection of images and all Aviva Group press releases are available in the press area www.aviva.com/media. Videos can also be downloaded from the site our video section.
With more than 180 years’ experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France operates a balanced multi-distribution model based on a comprehensive range of products, mainly designed for individuals and SMEs. Some 900 general agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, almost 900 wealth management advisers (Union Financière de France) and more than 1,000 active partner brokers are at the service of 3 million clients every day. Aviva has developed unique expertise in building effective partnerships for the benefit of its clients, particularly with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord, Société Générale, Ford and Médéric groups. Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds, the quality and innovation of its products, and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach. Aviva France is a socially responsible company and has developed initiatives that include reducing and neutralising its CO2 emissions, supporting more than 250 projects to help children and the elderly through the Aviva Foundation, and implementing an acclaimed diversity policy.
The Aviva Group directly employs more than 4,700 staff in France. At 31 December 2008, Aviva France reported consolidated sales of €6.0 billion and an IFRS-based net profit of €130 million. The company managed assets worth €69.6 billion at 31 December 2008.
*Based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2007.