Aviva names Blackstone’s Stoddard as finance chief

Insurance giant Aviva today named Tom Stoddard as its new chief financial officer, following last month’s resignation of incumbent Pat Regan.

Stoddard is currently a senior managing director at US private equity firm Blackstone and takes up his new role on 5 May.

His appointment, which has been approved by regulators, comes a month after Regan said he was leaving to become chief financial officer at Australian insurer QBE.

Aviva, which employs 2,500 people in Perth and Bishopbriggs, said Stoddard has been a principal corporate adviser to the firm since the start of last year and has gathered an “in-depth knowledge of the business” in that time.

Chief executive Mark Wilson said: “Tom is a high-calibre individual and an exceptional addition to our management team.

“He brings outstanding financial acumen, deep sector expertise, and impeccable commercial and market insight to Aviva. Tom will provide sound judgement and strong challenge – qualities I value highly.”