Aviva has confirmed the appointment of Maurice Tulloch as the groups new CEO, succeeding Mark Wilson who left the role at the end of last year.

Tulloch joined Aviva in 1992 and was appointed to the Board of Aviva plc in June 2017.

Currently Aviva’s CEO of International Insurance, Tulloch is responsible for Aviva’s life insurance and general insurance operations in France, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Turkey and India.

He was previously CEO of Aviva UK and Ireland General Insurance, one of the largest businesses in the Aviva group.

Commenting on his appointment Tulloch said: “There is a clear opportunity to realise Aviva’s significant but untapped potential. Aviva is financially strong, we have a well-known brand and excellent businesses. But there is more to do to improve returns to shareholders.

“We must focus on the fundamentals of insurance and giving our customers the best possible experience – being there when they need us, protecting what’s important to them and helping them save for the future.”

The announcement of Tulloch’s new role also sees Sir Adrian Montague, who had been acting in an executive capacity, return to his role as non-executive chairman. Montague described Tulloch’s appointment as a “unanimous conclusion and a great result for Aviva.”