Aviva Europe chief executive McMillan quits group as it merges UK insurance businesses

DAVID McMILLAN, the chief executive of Aviva Europe and chairman of Aviva Global Health Insurance has left the business.

Arbroath-born Mr McMillan’s departure comes as Aviva merges its UK insurance businesses – life insurance, general insurance and health insurance – under the leadership of Andy Briggs, who becomes chief executive, UK Insurance.

The company has also named Maurice Tulloch as chief executive, international insurance, responsible for Aviva’s insurance operations in France, Canada, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Poland, Turkey and India.

Aviva said it had, over the last three years, been through a transformation that has vastly improved its balance sheet, and was now entering the growth phase of its development. This includes a focus on its digital platforms and a narrowing of its geographic focus.

In March, Aviva reported a Solvency II ratio of 180 per cent and a surplus of £9.7 billion.

Mr McMillan joined Aviva in 2002 in the UK general insurance business and was appointed to his current roles in 2013 and 2014 respectively. He was credited with turning around Aviva Europe, galvanising distribution, exiting underperforming businesses and driving improved profit mix.

Aviva Europe profits in 2015 were €1.25bn with cash remittances of €650 million.

Aviva continues to be a major employer in Scotland, with 1,800 staff from a global pool of 29,600.

Thanking Mr McMillan for his “considerable contribution”, Aviva group chief executive Mark Wilson, said: “Most recently he has been instrumental in turning round Aviva’s European operations while accelerating the build of our global health insurance business. We wish him well for the future.”

Speaking about the group’s forward momentum, Mr Wilson said there were significant opportunities to differentiate the business in the post-Brexit UK landscape.