Aviva has tapped a new managing director for wealth and advice under the company’s UK & Ireland life business.
“I am delighted to announce Michele Golunska as our MD of wealth and advice,” said UK & Ireland life chief executive Doug Brown. “Michele has considerable experience in the wealth market, most recently in her current role as CEO of Sesame Bankhall Group.
“Aviva is a major player in the IFA and workplace markets, and we are also significantly expanding our advice capability to ensure that we can offer much-needed financial advice to more customers. Michele has a key role to play in delivering our ambitious plans for these areas, and I am delighted to welcome her to my team.”
It was noted that current wealth managing director Rob Barker is leaving Aviva to pursue other opportunities which were not disclosed. Meanwhile Sesame Bankhall Group is installing distribution managing director Ross Liston as interim CEO.
“We thank Rob for his considerable contribution over the last eight years during which time he has led Aviva’s wealth business, the health and protection businesses, as well as heading up UK strategic partnerships, distribution, and propositions,” added Brown, whose camp also named Sarah Layden as interim director for direct wealth.
As for Golunska, she will be in charge of the intermediary platform business, the workplace business, heritage customer solutions, and advice operations spanning Succession Wealth, Aviva Financial Advisers, and Sesame Bankhall Group.
She commented: “This is a great opportunity to build on Aviva’s strengths in the wealth and advice markets. I am committed to strengthening the relationships we have with the advice community including James Stevenson and his team at Succession Wealth. I am a passionate believer in the importance of providing high-quality advice to customers to help improve their financial wellbeing.”
Aside from the life business in the UK and Ireland, Aviva also consists of UK & Ireland general insurance, Canada general insurance, Aviva Investors, and international investments in Asia.
