Mayer leaves Aviva in management shake-up

As part of the changes, which Aviva claims will "simplify and bring more focus to the business", Richard Hoskins, CEO of North America, and Alain Dromer, CEO of Aviva Investors, will also leave the firm.

Aviva will split its business into two key groups: developed markets and the higher growth markets. The developed markets are UK and Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, US and Canada, while higher growth markets will comprise Asia, Poland, Turkey and Russia.

Trevor Matthews, current UK CEO, has been named as executive director for developed markets and will chair the UK and Ireland board. David Barral, CEO for UK and Ireland life insurance, David McMillan, CEO for UK and Ireland general insurance, and Philippe Maso, CEO of France, all join the group executive committee.

Simon Machell, Aviva Asia Pacific CEO, is named CEO for higher growth markets.

More detail on the plans, including cost savings, are expected to be announced at an Aviva investor and analyst event on 24 May.

In a statement, Aviva said: "As we now operate in materially fewer countries we have decided to remove the regional layer of our structure and are appointing the leaders of our three major businesses to the group executive committee.

"As our 2011 results demonstrated, we have beaten all our operating targets and made significant progress against our strategy to concentrate on selected markets where we can grow and earn higher returns. Aviva's general operating performance continues to be strong.

"Building on that progress, we are now evolving our strategy further, recognising the fact that the group has markets with two distinctive characteristics and clear aims."

Meanwhile, Pat Regan retains his role as group chief financial officer and will assume responsibility for Aviva Investors, while the insurer has also kicked of a search for Dromer's successor. Aviva did not state whether there would be replacements for Mayer and Hoskins.

John Ainley, group HR and CR director, Amanda Mackenzie, chief marketing and communications officer, Cathryn Riley, chief operating officer, and Robin Spencer, chief risk officer, will continue as members of the GEC.

Andrew Moss, group chief executive, added: "The changes I am announcing today will result in a simpler and more efficient organisation which will deliver further operational benefits, accelerate delivery of our strategy and provide opportunities for profitable growth.

"I am pleased to welcome David Barral, David McMillan and Philippe Maso to the group executive committee.

"I would also like to thank Igal Mayer, Richard Hoskins and Alain Dromer for their enormous contribution to Aviva and wish them well for the future."