Aviva has appointed Anne Durkin as head of protection reinsurance, a newly created role aimed at strengthening the insurer’s capabilities across its expanding protection portfolio in the UK.

Durkin will lead reinsurance strategy and operations for both individual and group protection lines, following the integration of AIG Life into Aviva. The acquired business now operates as Aviva Protection UK Limited (APUK). She reports to commercial director Nick Austin.

Durkin joined Aviva as part of the APUK transition and brings over 20 years of experience in the protection market. Her most recent role was head of reinsurance at AIG Life, where she managed reinsurer relationships, negotiated treaties, and oversaw offshore administration.

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“Durkin has a wealth of experience in protection reinsurance, as well as strong relationships across the market, both of which will be highly valuable as we develop and further strengthen Aviva’s reinsurance function,” Austin said.

Her prior roles at AIG Life included responsibilities in pricing, capital management, solvency reporting, and actuarial oversight. She previously held actuarial positions at Royal Liver Assurance and Entegria, contributing to pricing strategy and protection product development.

“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our valued reinsurance partners and the team at Aviva to achieve shared success,” Durkin said.

The role reflects Aviva’s focus on integrating and optimizing its protection businesses, following the completion of its AIG Life acquisition. The company stated that Durkin’s appointment supports its goal of using reinsurance more strategically across its enlarged portfolio.

Within Aviva, Durkin is also responsible for individual protection pricing, the value-for-money framework, and delivery of commercial targets across distribution channels. She chairs the company’s pricing and reinsurance governance committee.

Aviva said the appointment is part of its broader effort to expand its position in the UK protection sector and to ensure its reinsurance arrangements are aligned with future growth.

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