Aviva Global Brand

Aviva PLC
29 April 2008




News release


29 April 2008

                    AVIVA TO UNITE BUSINESS UNDER GLOBAL BRAND


Aviva announces today the final phase of the company's move to a worldwide
brand, Aviva, as part of its strategy to grow and transform the business to
compete on a global scale.


•    Aviva is to become the customer brand for the Aviva group worldwide

•    Norwich Union, Commercial Union Poland and Hibernian brands all to become 
     Aviva

•    The change is part of the transformation set out in the 'One Aviva, twice 
     the value' vision

•    The move positions Aviva to compete even more effectively on a global scale



The company will complete the transition to a global brand over the next two
years, with Norwich Union (UK), Commercial Union Poland and Hibernian (Ireland)
becoming Aviva.



In October 2007 group chief executive, Andrew Moss, set out his vision to
maximise the company's full potential as a global group, summarised as 'One
Aviva, twice the value'. It signalled a period of transformation for Aviva,
bringing together relatively autonomous business units to create 'One Aviva'
with a clear growth agenda in an increasingly global and competitive
marketplace.



The international savings, investments and insurance group already trades as
Aviva in over 20 markets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific and has
grown its international business significantly over time.  Approximately 60 per
cent of group business is now generated outside the UK following a sizeable
acquisition in the US in 2006 and the fast growth of its operations in Asia
Pacific and Europe, adding to the strong and important UK home market business.



Andrew Moss said: 'This is an exciting time for us as we build a world class
business with strong growth potential.  For Aviva to continue to thrive we have
to compete effectively on the world stage alongside our international peers.
Creating a brand that is known across the globe is an important step in being
recognised as a worldwide force in financial services and an important milestone
in delivering our 'One Aviva, twice the value' vision.

'In today's world people are becoming more mobile and are targeted by
international brands competing for their business across borders through the
global media.  For our customers, the Aviva name will be recognisable and will
represent the same quality, financial strength and security wherever they do
business with us.  By integrating our operations more closely we can take best
in breed products and services from around the world and bring innovation to new
and existing customers.



'By investing in a single name, we will amplify the global impact of our
advertising and sponsorship spend.  Being a well-known international brand also
opens doors when entering new markets and establishing partnerships with other
global players, as we already do in bancassurance.



'For our 57,000 staff, it's about bringing them together as one team under a
common identity, and enabling us to attract and retain the best.  As we've seen
in our newer businesses in Asia Pacific and the US, people want to work for
global companies that stand out on the world stage.  I firmly believe that
growing and thriving businesses generate the best career opportunities for their
people over the long-term.



'For our shareholders, a clear focus on delivering our 'One Aviva, twice the
value' vision will drive further dividend growth and value.



'Today Aviva can look to the future with confidence, largely because of its
strong heritage with its roots in Norwich Union, Commercial Union and General
Accident. These great companies succeeded because they took decisive action to
develop their businesses and helped their customers to thrive and prosper.  We
will continue to build our global business upon this strong foundation.



'We will manage this process with care over the next two years involving all our
stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition and that we maximise the
opportunities this change will bring.'



In delivering his 'One Aviva, twice the value' vision for the group, Andrew Moss
has recently completed the recruitment of his global executive team, introducing
a new regional approach to reflect the group's business interests across the UK,
Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Aviva has also announced its plans to
build a global integrated asset management capability - Aviva Investors - with
significant growth potential across 15 countries.  Ambitious growth and
efficiency targets have been established for the group and the company is
exploring the opportunity for shared services in areas such as IT and purchasing
to maximise efficiency and bring best practice across its worldwide operations.



Aviva has recently announced its 2007 results, reporting a robust result in a
challenging year, with strong growth in its international long-term savings
businesses offsetting the exceptional UK weather result on its general insurance
business. A dividend increase of 10 per cent reflects the board's confidence in
the future prospects for the business.



                                    - ends -

Enquiries:



Media

Hayley Stimpson, director of group media relations      [phone]
Vanessa Rhodes, senior group media relations manager    [phone]
James Murgatroyd/Conor McClafferty, Finsbury            [phone]


Analysts

Charles Barrows, investor relations director            [phone]
Jessie Burrows, head of investor relations              [phone]


Notes to editors:



About Aviva plc



  • Aviva is the international savings, investments and insurance group formed
    from the merger of Norwich Union and CGU in 2000.  Following the merger the
    parent company, CGNU plc, operated under 40 major trading brands across the
    world until the Aviva brand was introduced in 2002.



  • Aviva is the leading provider of life and pension products in Europe with
    substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the
    world's fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at
    31 December 2006. Aviva's principal business activities are long-term
    savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales
    of £49.2 billion and funds under management of £364 billion at 31 December
    2007.



  • Approximately 60 per cent of Aviva's business is now generated outside the
    UK (2000: 42 per cent).



  • Aviva recently announced the establishment of Aviva Investors, which will
    be the new identity for its new globally integrated investment management
    operation across 15 countries.



  • RAC is part of Norwich Union.  As a specialist motoring services brand,
    the RAC name will not change.  The Delta Lloyd brand (Netherlands) will also
    remain.



  • Aviva has announced a series of growth and efficiency targets and the
    intention to double total IFRS total earnings per share by 2012 at the
    latest.









History of Norwich Union



  • Norwich Union was formed in Norwich in 1797, first offering insurance
    against the risk of fire.  In 1808 it expanded and established a life
    insurance company.  In 1997 Norwich Union demutualised and floated as a
    public company on the London Stock Exchange, transforming itself into a FTSE
    100 company.



  • In 2000, Norwich Union merged with CGU to create CGNU plc (renamed Aviva
    in 2002). The Norwich Union name was retained for the long-term savings and
    general insurance businesses in the UK.



  • Today Norwich Union remains a significant employer in Norwich, with 6,700
    staff servicing its UK life and general insurance operations.  It is the
    headquarters for the UK general insurance business.  Aviva will continue to
    build its global business on this strong foundation with its associated
    benefits to the local community.



  • A full history of Norwich Union and other Aviva group companies can be
    accessed via the education centre on our website, www.aviva.com



History of Hibernian



  • Hibernian was formed in Dublin in 1908, initially operating as a property
    insurer and extending its business in 1920 to offer all classes of general
    insurance.



  • In 1964 Hibernian merged with Commercial Union, with Commercial Union
    selling its majority shareholding in 1979.



  • In 1985 Hibernian entered the life insurance market by taking a 50% stake
    in Life Association of Ireland. The company also listed on the Dublin Stock
    Exchange.



  • In 1999 CGU acquired the Hibernian Group and combined the two brands in
    Ireland under the Hibernian name.  The following year, 2000, saw the merger
    of Norwich Union and CGU to create CGNU plc (renamed Aviva plc in 2002).



  • In 2006 Hibernian and Allied Irish Banks plc ('AIB') established a joint
    venture merging Hibernian Life and Pensions and AIB's Ark Life.



  • Today Hibernian is the leading multi-line insurance company in the Irish
    market.  Hibernian holds the number one position in the general insurance
    market and a top three position in the life and pensions market.  Hibernian
    employs around 2,200 staff and is headquartered in Dublin.  It has recently
    announced its intention to enter the health insurance market with the
    acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, of the majority shareholding in
    VIVAS Health.



History of Commercial Union Poland



  • Commercial Union Poland was formed in 1992 and was the first Aviva
    business unit in Central & Eastern Europe.



  • Today Commercial Union Poland offers long-term savings, general insurance
    and asset management services.  It is the market leader in individual life
    insurance and pension funds.



  • Commercial Union Poland has 1,400 staff and over 3,000 tied insurance
    agents. It also distributes through independent agencies, brokers,
    bancassurance and IFAs.

Further information



  • The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company and
    product information and a news release archive.



  • For broadcast-standard video supporting this announcement, please visit
    www.thenewsmarket.com/aviva



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange              GLLGRZM