Origen has appointed Mike Kirsch as interim Managing Director of Origen for an initial period of six months. Origen parent Aegon says the six month interim period has been agreed ‘to suit both parties’, with a decision about whether the appointment will be made permanent to be made in the future.
Kirsch takes over the role vacated by the resignation of Stephen Greenstreet in July.
Kirsch joins Origen from Alico UK where he was CEO, recently standing down following the sale of a large part of the business to Swiss Re in July 2011. He has held a number of senior roles with both distributors and Life companies. He was CEO of AWD Chase de Vere from 2007 to 2009 and a board director of Aviva Life from 2000 to 2006.
He will report to Patrick Gale, executive chairman of distribution at Aegon. He is charged with growing Origen’s business by improving the competitiveness of its RDR-ready propositions through the adoption of platforms and adviser-facing technology.
Gale says: “Origen is making considerable progress with the changes required to ready the business for the post-RDR world as well as ensuring it achieves the financial and regulatory targets expected of the business. Mike has an excellent track record at the highest level in the industry and I’m delighted he has joined us in this interim role.”
Kirsch says: “Having spent the last year integrating and restructuring the Alico UK group of businesses, I am delighted to return to cutting edge of the market at a time of fundamental change.’’
