Aviva has appointed Mike Ambery as director of policy within its UK Wealth business, replacing Emma Douglas, who held the role for two years before recently becoming Chair of The Pensions Regulator.
He will join Aviva in September, reporting to Michele Golunska, Managing Director of Wealth – which is part of Aviva’s wider Insurance, Wealth & Retirement (IWR) business. He will work closely with Aviva colleagues and industry and government bodies to help shape and implement wealth policy.
Ambery joins from Standard Life, where his most recent role was retirement and savings director. He joined Standard Life in 2024 as retirement and savings director, where he led thought leadership on pensions and long-term savings. Before that, he spent 17 years at Hymans Robertson as a partner, leading firm-wide propositions, advising on defined contribution master trust consolidation, M&A and the development of an independent provider benchmarking tool.
Golunska says: “Aviva plays an important role in working with government to help shape the wealth policy landscape. Mike joins us at a pivotal time for our industry, following the recent introduction of the Pension Schemes Act and ahead of the forthcoming Pensions Commission recommendations. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team. He brings huge experience and a genuine passion for policy.”
Ambery says: “I’m thrilled to be joining Aviva and working closely with the leadership team within its Wealth business. With major regulatory change and savers’ needs evolving quickly, this is an important time for pensions. I’m looking forward to helping Aviva build on its success while keeping customers firmly at the centre.”


