Aviva's Amanda Blanc named business person of 2022

Aviva chief executive Amanda Blanc (pictured) – whose career began at ancestor firm Commercial Union in 1989 prior to her headline-grabbing return in 2020 – has been recognised as The Sunday Times business person of the year for 2022.

Lifting the lid on the award, The Sunday Times said: “Our shortlisted bosses not only coped with crises, but transformed their businesses, too. Shell’s Ben van Beurden, Octopus Energy’s Greg Jackson, Pearson’s Andy Bird, Channel 4’s Alex Mahon, and SSE’s Alistair Phillips-Davies could all have been worthy winners. But Amanda Blanc’s restructuring of Aviva paid off more than any of them.

“A flurry of disposals to simplify the business meant she could return billions to shareholders, dealing with an activist investor to boot. She also confronted, head-on, outrageous sexism from some shareholders at its AGM (annual general meeting). Plain-dealing, efficient, and a strong leader, she is a worthy winner.”

Prior to taking the helm at Aviva as the company’s first female CEO, Blanc spent time at the likes of Towergate Insurance and AXA. She is credited for having greatly simplified Aviva, the current focus of which is the group’s core markets in the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

Aviva, AXA and Towergate Insurance were awarded in IBUK's Brokers on Commercial Motors. View the list of winners in 2023 Best Commercial Car Insurance UK special report.

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