OREANDA-NEWS. December 27, 2012. Aviva announces that Nicolas Schimel, currently chairman and CEO of UFF and member of the Aviva France Executive and Strategic committee has been appointed CEO of Aviva France following the resignation of Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet, effective immediately.

John McFarlane, Chairman of Aviva, said: “I am delighted that Nicolas Schimel has agreed to step into this important role.  He has an intimate knowledge of not only the French financial services landscape but even more importantly Aviva’s operations locally, making him the natural candidate to lead the business.  I am confident that Nicolas’ appointment will be well received by our people, our customers and our business partners.”

Nicolas Schimel said: “I am very pleased to have been asked to take on this role, and excited by the prospects for Aviva in France.  We have an excellent franchise and outstanding people, and I’m looking forward to working with them to deliver outstanding results for our three million customers, our business partners and all other stakeholders. My colleagues of the Executive and Strategic committee and myself are ready to face the challenges of 2013. ”

M. Schimel is a member of the Aviva France Executive and Strategic Committee and currently chairman and CEO of UFF, the independent adviser company which is listed in Paris and majority owned by Aviva France.  He has undertaken a range of high profile roles in the French financial services sector in a career spanning more than 20 years, including senior management positions for AGF (now Allianz France), Generali and, since 2008, for the Aviva Group.  He acted as interim CEO of Aviva France between November 2010 and July 2011.