Two top executives at the largest insurer in the UK are said to be neck and neck in the group CEO race following Mark Wilson’s shock departure from Aviva last October.

Citing industry sources, The Mail on Sunday pointed to a probable promotion for either UK insurance chief executive Andy Briggs or international insurance CEO Maurice Tulloch. The executive directors were described as frontrunners in the search for Wilson’s successor.

“It’s more likely to be one of Briggs or Tulloch,” the publication quoted a source as saying. “Probably Andy will be the favourite. He’s got PLC experience – he was CEO of the listed Friends Life company, so he’s done the top job before.”

An external hire, however, is not entirely out of the equation. According to the report, executive search firm Spencer Stuart has been tapped to carry out a worldwide hunt for Aviva’s next boss.

Taking charge in the meantime is chairman Sir Adrian Montague, who will revert to his role of non-executive chair once a CEO is named – an event the newspaper said is happening “within weeks.”