Aviva Moves North American Office to Chicago

Aviva plc, the world's fifth largest insurance group, opened offices in Chicago to house its North American executive team functions, one of four regional centers for Aviva's global operations. The office will provide leadership and support for the company's North American business strategy, business development, finance, corporate affairs and human resources.

Aviva's existing life insurance operations will continue to be headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa; existing general insurance operations will continue to be headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Aviva's Group Executive Committee held its first global leadership meeting in the region in June. Andrew Moss, group chief executive officer of Aviva plc, based in London, Tom Godlasky, chief executive officer of Aviva North America, and the global executive team met first in Des Moines and then in Chicago to commemorate the official opening of the new North American regional office.

"With its diverse economy and central location, Chicago is an ideal city for Aviva to continue to help drive growth in our strong long-term savings, asset management and general insurance businesses in North America," said Moss.

"North America is a high-growth market for Aviva and we plan to build the global Aviva brand and steer the expansion of our business across the US and Canada."

"I am delighted that Aviva has selected Chicago for its new North American regional office," said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. "Here in Chicago, I know that Aviva will find itself amongst an extremely strong, engaged and supportive business community."

"Aviva is well-positioned for success," said Rita R. Athas, executive director of World Business Chicago. "The company's decision to base its North American regional office here reflects a continuing trend of leading multi-national corporations choosing Chicago because of its global business resources, distinct competitive advantages and rich talent pool of educated and experienced professionals."

Aviva's North American businesses include life insurance and annuities in the United States. In 2006, Aviva grew its existing US presence by acquiring AmerUs Group (now known as Aviva USA), a national leader in indexed annuities and indexed life insurance. Nationally, Aviva USA ranks number one in sales for both of these products.

In 2007, Aviva North America generated $10 billion in sales, and the region's EEV (European embedded value) operating profit increased 131 percent to $816 million. Assets invested at December 31, 2007 were in excess of $40 billion in the region.

Aviva is the leading provider of life and pension products in Europe (including the UK) with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2006.

Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of $98.4 billion and funds under management of $724.6 billion as of December 2007.

For more information, visit www.aviva.com.