Aviva

Speaking to a Treasury committee, Blanc said she was “inundated” with messages detailing “incredibly sad” stories from women in the insurance industry.

Clive Bolton, CEO of M&G Life Insurance and Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK and Ireland were also appointed to the board.

Backed by Aviva’s underwriting capacity, Optiom provides vehicle replacement insurance in Canada.

Abramson was hired to head up the construction team at Aviva in July amid a restructuring of its commercial lines business.

The carrier has made numerous hires across its marine team as part of an international insurance buildout.

Aviva Global Corporate and Specialty grew gross written premium by 9% over the period.

Marc Wanless has been with Aviva since 2010 and stepped into his new role on an interim basis in July.

The carrier has been in hiring mode in recent months after staff exits earlier this year.

Samantha Shean has been named head of FI, while Duncan Goddard and Kate Albert have joined as a senior financial lines underwriter and PI underwriting manager, respectively.

Shares have slid back since a mid-morning peak of around 10% above the prior close.

The carrier launched its offshore wind proposition at the beginning of the year.

The ratings agency said the rating reflected the “strategic importance” of the subsidiary to the group.