Aviva plc (Aviva) has today announced the appointment of Doug Brown as CEO of UK & Ireland Life Insurance. Brown, who is currently CEO of Canada Life in the UK, will join Aviva’s Group Executive Committee, reporting to group CEO Amanda Blanc. He is expected to join Aviva in April 2021, subject to regulatory approval.
A press release from Aviva cited Brown’s substantial senior management experience in the life insurance sector and his three decades of work in the industry. He has led Canada Life’s UK business for the last six years and, prior to this, he was chief operating officer for Canada Life in the UK.
Other roles Brown has held include being chief risk officer at Aviva Europe and regional president of AIG Life, UK & Ireland. He will succeed Angela Darlington who will leave Aviva in April 2021, after a handover period with Brown.
Commenting on the appointment, Blanc said: “Our aim is to be the UK’s leading insurer, providing customers with all their savings, retirement and insurance needs, at every step of their lives. Doug is a great appointment for Aviva and he will play a key role as we transform Aviva’s performance in the UK.”
Blanc also paid tribute to Darlington who has been with Aviva for almost two decades and said the departing executive was a “relentless champion” of the group’s customers and values who will leave with Aviva’s thanks and best wishes.
Meanwhile, Brown noted that Aviva is very well placed for success in the UK due to its strong brand and excellent partner and customer relationships. He said he is excited to be joining the company and to help extend its leadership in the life insurance market.
