Andy Curran is leaving his role as MD, corporate at Aviva UK to take a senior role in savings and retirement at Phoenix Group.
Curran takes the role of CEO savings and retirement, UK and Europe and group director, Scotland, at Phoenix.
A board reshuffle sees Claire Hawkins promoted to the role of corporate affairs and investor relations director.
After more than 10 years with Phoenix Group, and over 30 years in the life and pensions sector, Susan McInnes is to retire from her role as CEO of Standard Life Assurance and Group director for Phoenix’s Open business later this year.
Curran brings more than 30 years of life and pensions experience – most recently at Aviva where he has been responsible for its UK corporate businesses. He was previously UK CEO for Friends Life as well as holding senior roles at Prudential.
Curran will join Phoenix in July and will work alongside McInnes before she steps down in the autumn. He will lead the Group’s Open book and BPA growth strategy. As well as the Open businesses in the UK, he will be responsible for its European operations and SunLife.
In almost 20 years working for Phoenix companies, Hawkins has led a number of projects contributed to Phoenix’s successful admission to the FTSE100 index in 2019.
Fellow executive committee member John McGuigan, group customer director, will also play an increasing role in building relationships for the group in Scotland.
Phoenix Group CEO Andy Briggs says: “Susan has been instrumental in the transition of Standard Life Assurance into Phoenix and setting the path for success in our Open business. On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank her for her service, and wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement.
“In Andy, a fellow Scot, we have an excellent successor. He brings significant experience of the life and pensions sector and an exceptional track record of delivering value for customers and shareholders. He will lead Phoenix’s Open book and BPA growth strategy and enhance our position as a leader in the workplace market.
“I’m delighted to welcome Claire to the executive committee. Her promotion to this newly expanded position reflects our commitment to enhancing our outreach to stakeholders and how central ESG considerations are to our operations. Claire has taken a leading role in many projects which have transformed the company’s scale and operations, and she will continue to drive development in the group in this new role.
“Phoenix will become the UK’s largest long term savings and retirement business following the completion of the ReAssure acquisition. We will have a senior management team with the skills and experience in place to drive the business forward. I’m looking forward to working closely with Claire and Andy as we progress with our strategy and our ongoing commitment to being a sustainable business that successfully supports the needs of our customers.”
