Aviva
Aviva are the UK’s leading diversified insurer, with businesses spanning insurance, wealth, and retirement. They also have major operations in Ireland and Canada. Aviva is a leading general insurer in the UK and Ireland, providing insurance solutions to over 12 million customers. Aviva offer commercial lines insurance to a wide range of businesses, from the micro segment up to large UK and global corporates. They also operate in the London market through their Lloyds syndicate, Probitas. In personal lines, they offer motor, home, travel, breakdown, pet and gadget insurance. They operate their own garage repair network and completed the acquisition of Direct Line in July 2025. They have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, in line with their purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2025, they paid £31.9 billion in claims and benefits to their customers.
Aviva warns of vacant property rise
A new study by the Local Data Company shows that retail property vacancy rates across Britain rose 2% in the past six months of last year to 12%, with some towns seeing as much as 24% of its shops lying empty.
Towergate raids HSBC for new managing director
Caravan and park homes broker Towergate Bakers has announced the appointment of Simon Townsend as its managing director.
Willis names interim CFO
Willis Group Holdings has announced today that Stephen Wood, the company's global group financial controller, has been named interim chief financial officer.
Soundbytes
Fast Trade is Aviva's online quote-and-buy facility for small business packages. It provides brokers with simpler navigation and improved quote facilities, cover and instant documentation. The site also provides product information and an online claims…
Editor's comment
It is refreshing when the chief executive of one of the country's largest broking firms cuts to the chase. Talking to me about rate increases, the broker in question let out a heavy sigh and declared that the whole subject was rather tiresome, albeit…
Zurich forges ahead with bold hikes in personal motor rates
Zurich's decision to implement blanket rate increases on its private motor book has exposed the diversity in strategy among the leading composite insurers in this arena
Santander urges mortgage brokers to tap into insurance
Bank Santander, through its brand Abbey for Intermediaries, has encouraged mortgage brokers to "exploit" the general insurance market, cutting premium levels in the home insurance sector in order to secure market share
Consumer bill heralds industry boost
A proposed change in legislation to protect consumers could be good news for the public, insurers and brokers, writes Emmanuel Kenning
Markel boosts retail division
John Parkinson joins from Hastings while Rupert Joce joins from Ecclesiastical
Sterling targets commercial growth
Insurer boosts commercial news business and development underwriting teams with two new hires
What the papers say
In this edition, Insurance Age editor Martin Friel is joined by head of communications at Towergate, Marc DonFrancesco and Andrew Tjaardstra, editor of Professional Broking to pick over the trade press.
Aviva broker boss reaffirms focus following Mayer exit
Brigid Murphy says Aviva will "put its money where its mouth is"
Aviva UK CEO won't merge life and GI arms
In an interview with Post magazine, new Aviva group life and GI CEO says more synergies between arms but no merger
Aviva creates new marketing role
Gary Price promoted to the director role after his part in the rebrand
Aviva warns of increase in commercial claims
Commercial claims costs due to rise by about a quarter in January
Dual raids Brit for new underwriting director
Jenny Martin joins Dual Corporate Risks as underwriting director
Taking the pulse of PMI
With a growing population and challenges ahead for government spending Emmanuel Kenning asks what the future holds for the PMI market.
2009: stepping into the unknown
A near-catastrophic global banking collapse and the worst recession in living memory have all affected insurance broking. Andrew Tjaardstra reviews the big stories from an unprecedented year.
Aviva returns to corporate risk
Andrew Tjaardstra reports on Aviva's plan to become a top-three corporate player within five years.
Aviva and Barclays extend contract
Igal Mayer, chief executive, Aviva UK general insurance, said the company is delighted with the deal
Aviva joins Keychoice panel
John Kennedy, director of personal lines at Aviva, said independent brokers are "key" to its future success
The good, the bad and the average
Every broker wants their claims dealt with to the satisfaction of their clients - but just how often is that the case? Peter Joy analyses the results of the Insurance 360 study into the performance of 40 leading commercial insurers and looks at what…
Aviva unveils new GI chief
David McMillan will become the new CEO of UK general insurance
Aviva to cut 100 staff in John Kitson's division
Changes linked with announcement about broker sales and marketing restructure