Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, today announced the appointment of Christopher J Littlefield, as chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Aviva USA, part of Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, today announced the appointment of Christopher J Littlefield, as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Aviva USA is a leading provider of fixed indexed annuity and life insurance products in the US.
Littlefield has served as Aviva USA’s chief operating officer and led the company’s operational business units including insurance administration, information technology, marketing/brand, corporate affairs, the corporate program office, legal, compliance, and facilities. He will report to Thomas C Godlasky, CEO for Aviva North America, who leads both the US Life and Annuity and Canadian Property and Casualty businesses.
"I am very proud to make this appointment and pleased that Chris will lead Aviva’s US Life and Annuity businesses. Chris’ overall talent, experience and passion for excellence made him the right person for this CEO position,” said Godlasky.
“Since joining Aviva, Chris has displayed outstanding leadership and dedication. He was a critical member of the team that managed the acquisition of AmerUs by Aviva plc in 2006 and ensured its smooth transition. In addition, he has helped guide Aviva North America’s Life and Annuity business to an industry leadership position during historically challenging market conditions. I’m confident that Chris will lead the US team to further success in serving our distribution partners and customers.”
Chris Littlefield expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. "I’m very excited to have this opportunity. Aviva is a tremendous and growing company with great resources, particularly its employees, distribution partners and customers. I look forward to continuing to build upon our past successes and make Aviva USA’s Life and Annuity businesses the envy of the industry.”
Littlefield joined AmerUs Group in January 2006 as executive vice president – general counsel and secretary. He was promoted to Aviva USA chief operating officer in February 2008.
Prior to that, Littlefield was with The Dial Corporation in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he held a number of management positions since 1998, including senior vice president; general counsel and secretary. He also served as senior vice president and general manager of one of The Dial Corporation’s major business divisions. Before then, Littlefield was an attorney with Snell & Wilmer LLP, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Littlefield graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Arizona. He earned a juris doctor, with high distinction, from The University of Iowa. He is a member of the board of trustees of Hospice of Central Iowa Foundation. In his new role, he will continue to be based at the US operations headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Contact:
Catherine Huggins
Director of External Communications
Telephone: (515) 557 3822
E-mail: catherine.huggins@avivausa.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva USA
Aviva USA is part of Aviva plc, the fifth largest insurer* in the world. Aviva USA is a sales leader of fixed indexed annuities and fixed indexed life. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Aviva USA has additional offices located in Topeka, Kansas, and Woodbury, New York.
In the United States, Aviva has approximately 1 million customers and employs nearly 1,500 people across the country. As of June 30, 2009, Aviva USA’s assets totalled more than $42.4 billion. Aviva plc can trace its presence in the United States back to the late 1800s. We were ultimately transformed in 2006 when Aviva plc, our London parent, acquired Des Moines, Iowa-based AmerUs Group for $3.1 billion (£1.7 billion.)
* based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.
About Aviva plc and Aviva North America
Aviva plc is the world's fifth largest insurance group*, serving 50 million customers across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Aviva’s main business activities are long-term savings, fund management and property and casualty insurance.
With worldwide total sales of £51.3 billion and funds under management of £381 billion at 31 December 2008, Aviva is the largest insurance services provider in the UK and one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe.
In North America, Aviva is the largest provider of indexed annuity and life insurance in the US, and the second largest property and casualty insurer in Canada. The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com includes images, company and product information and a news release archive.
* based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.