UK domiciled insurer Aviva has announced the departure of Chief Executive Officer Mark Wilson, effective April 2019.
Wilson, who joined Aviva as CEO in 2013, will assist with the planned transition up until his departure next year.
The group states that he was brought in to deliver a turnaround of Aviva and, now that the turnaround has been successfully completed, it is time for new leadership to take the group to the next phase of its development.
“When I joined Aviva, the company was in poor health. Aviva is very different today,” said Wilson.
“I have achieved what I wanted to achieve and now it’s time for me to move on to new things. It has been an honour to lead Aviva through this period of immense change.”
“I am happy I leave the company in a strong position from which it can thrive. I would like to thank all those within and outside Aviva who have supported the successful turnaround and I wish everyone in Aviva the very best for the future.”
The search for a successor will commence immediately, with internal and external candidates being considered. The process is expected to be completed within the next four months.
During the transition period the Board of Aviva has asked Sir Adrian Montague, currently non-executive Chairman of Aviva, to assume executive responsibilities and lead a Chairman’s Committee of the company’s three executive directors.
“The Board would like to thank Mark for what he has achieved in his six years at Aviva. He leaves the group in a far stronger state than when he joined. Aviva is now financially strong and delivering solid earnings growth,” added Montague.
“There is much further to go in accelerating our strategic development and enhancing shareholder value. We have agreed with Mark this is the right time for a new leader to ensure Aviva delivers to its full potential.”
“Our priority is to ensure, with our new chief executive, that we have the right strategy, focus, capabilities and leadership. I am confident we will deliver long term growth for the benefit of our customers, our people and our shareholders.”
