Aviva News

City of London Is Relaxed About the Prospect of a Labour Election Win

In the City of London, executives are looking forward to the imminent general election as a chance for clarity after a turbulent few years. Matthew Beesley, chief executive officer at Jupiter Fund Management Plc, said markets are not afraid of …

UK’s Aviva Posts 16% Rise in Q1 General Insurance Premiums

Aviva posted a 16% rise in general insurance gross written premiums to 2.7 billion pounds ($3.44 billion) in the first quarter, helped by strong performance in Britain. Life and general insurer Aviva, which has its main operations in Britain, Canada …

Britain Rejects Call to Ban Gagging Orders in Financial Services Sector

Britain’s Finance Ministry on Tuesday rejected a call to ban non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), which can be used to silence victims of sexual harassment and abuse, arguing that such clauses do not stop staff reporting concerns to authorities. A report on …

Generali CEO Says Insurer Has Financial Strength for M&A Deals

Italian insurance giant Assicurazioni Generali SpA has the financial means for acquisitions that fit its template for value creation, according to Chief Executive Officer Philippe Donnet. “We are considering very strict discipline for M&A which allows value creation,” Donnet said …

Financial Services Firms Should Be Banned From Misusing Gag Orders: UK Lawmakers

Finance firms in Britain should be banned from misusing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual harassment and abuse, lawmakers said on Friday, calling for an end to an era of impunity for predators and bullies. In a report …

Generali CEO’s Strategic Wishlist Includes €10 Billion Deals

Assicurazioni Generali SpA is analyzing a range of potential takeover candidates as part of the insurer’s growth plans, with some of them worth more than €10 billion ($10.9 billion), according to people familiar with the matter. The Italian insurer would …

UK Insurer Aviva to Enter Lloyd’s Market via Acquisition of Probitas for £242M

Aviva plc announced it will acquire 100% of Probitas Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., the parent company of the Probitas Group, for a minimum fixed consideration of £242 million (US$306.2 million). The transaction includes Probitas Managing Agency, which is the managing agent …

Some UK Financial Services Firms Keep Flexible Working to Boost Women in Workforce

As firms across the City of London consider clamping down on working from home, Schroders Plc is sticking to its policy of letting workers decide how much time they spend in the office. “Flexible working provides a strong link to …

Harassment of Women in Financial Services Eclipses Other Industries: Aviva CEO Blanc

Amanda Blanc, the CEO of insurer Aviva, told British lawmakers on Wednesday that physical and verbal harassment of women in financial services eclipsed other industries and that she had heard “absolutely appalling” stories. Blanc, giving evidence to the Treasury Committee …

Aviva to Acquire Canadian Vehicle Replacement MGA Optiom for Circa £100m

Aviva plc announced the acquisition of Optiom O2 Holdings Inc. from Novacap and other minority shareholders for a consideration of approximately £100 million (US$126 million). Calgary, Canada-based Optiom, which operates as a managing general agent (MGA), is a provider of …