Aviva, the insurance giant, has undergone a significant transformation since Amanda Blanc took over as chief executive in July 2020. The company, which previously struggled with a faltering share price and a string of unsuccessful leaders, has seen its overall operating profit surge to £1.3bn in its latest results, an increase from £1bn the previous year.
Blanc's strategic decisions included divesting from underperforming European markets, raising £8bn from disposals in countries like France, Italy, and Poland. These funds were then used for investments and returning capital to shareholders. The group's general insurance premiums grew 29 per cent to £8.1bn, and its wealth management arm jumped 32 per cent to £7.6bn, boosted by a new pension scheme and increased sales on its investment platform.
Key acquisitions under Blanc's leadership include Succession Wealth for £385m in 2022, Probitas for £242m in 2024, and notably, Direct Line for £3.7bn in December 2024. The Direct Line deal secured Aviva a fifth of the UK motor insurance market. Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, commented that Blanc "quickly sorted out the mess, focusing on areas with the best growth potential."
Despite the positive performance, some challenges remain. Four of Aviva's sixteen funds received a red flag rating in February for failing to provide value to investors. Additionally, the future of motor insurance faces uncertainty due to the rise of autonomous cars, which could impact the need for personal motor insurance.