According to a Press release, the appointment is one more step in the execution of Aviva’s new strategy. In the role, Versey will also join Aviva’s group executive committee and will report to Aviva Group CEO Amanda Blanc.
Versey succeeds Euan Munro in the role, who is now moving to a position outside of the insurer. Versey first joined Aviva Investors in 2014 and has led the £47 billion real assets business, which includes infrastructure, real estate, and private debt markets. He also sits on the investment committee of the Investment Association and chairs its Sustainability and Responsible Investment Committee.
Before Aviva, Versey was the chief investment officer at Friends Life Group and chief investment officer of AXA UK.
“Mark is the leader that Aviva Investors needs to take it forward. Aviva Investors is a core part of Aviva and its investment capabilities are critical to our ambition to be the UK’s leading insurer. I have been impressed with Mark’s determination to strengthen Aviva Investors, deliver excellent investment performance and extend our leadership in responsible investing. Aviva Investors has a significant role to play in the delivery of Aviva’s strategy, providing Aviva customers with attractive investment solutions for each step of their lives,” said Group CEO Blanc, adding, “I would like to thank Euan Munro for his leadership of Aviva Investors over the past seven years. He leaves with our best wishes for the next stage of his career.”
Versey noted, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead Aviva Investors through its next phase of growth. The business has strong capabilities in fixed income, credit, equities, multi-asset and real assets, as well as being a leader in responsible investment. My overriding priority will be to provide our customers with strong and consistent investment performance to deliver the outcomes they are looking for, including meeting net zero emission targets through sustainable investments. We have a significant opportunity at Aviva Investors to grow the business organically and help Aviva meet its ambitions in the UK.”
