Aviva facts for kids
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Formerly
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| Public limited company | |
| Traded as | LSE: AV. FTSE 100 Component |
| Industry | Insurance |
| Predecessor |
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| Founded | 1696 as Hand in Hand Fire & Life Insurance Society. 2000 as Aviva plc (by merger). |
| Headquarters | London, England, UK |
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Key people
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| Services | |
| Revenue |  £18,497 billion (2023) |
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Operating income
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£1.690 billion (2023) |
| £1.106 billion (2023) |
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| Total assets | £328.843 billion (2023) |
| Total equity |  £9.600 billion (2023) |
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Number of employees
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22,000 (2022) |
Aviva plc is a big British company that helps people and businesses. It is a multinational insurance company. Its main office is in London, England.
Aviva has about 18 million customers. Most of its customers are in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. In the UK, Aviva is the largest general insurer. It also provides many life insurance and pension plans. Aviva is also the second largest general insurer in Canada. The company also works in places like China and South East Asia. Aviva is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is part of the FTSE 100 Index, which lists the 100 biggest companies in the UK.
Contents
What Does the Name Aviva Mean?
When the company first started in May 2000, its name was CGNU plc. This name came from a merger between two insurance companies: Norwich Union and CGU.
In April 2002, the company's owners decided to change the name. They chose Aviva plc. This name was made up, but it comes from the Latin word "viva," which means 'alive'. The company wanted a name that was short, easy to remember, and would work all over the world.
For a while, the Norwich Union name was still used in the UK. But in April 2008, Aviva decided to use the Aviva name everywhere. This meant the Norwich Union brand slowly stopped being used in the United Kingdom.
Aviva's History
Aviva's story goes back a very long time. It started with a company called the Hand in Hand Fire & Life Insurance Society. This company began in London in 1696.
Aviva plc itself was formed in February 2000. This happened when two big British insurance companies, Norwich Union and CGU plc, joined together. CGU plc was also formed from earlier mergers. The name Aviva was officially adopted in July 2002. After that, most of the company's businesses around the world started using the "Aviva" name.
Over the years, Aviva has grown by buying other companies.
- In 2002, Aviva bought Abeille Vie, a life insurance company in France.
- In March 2005, Aviva bought the RAC plc. This company helps drivers when their cars break down.
- In July 2006, Aviva became much bigger in the United States. It bought AmerUs Group, a financial company that started in 1896.
- In 2009, Aviva sold its wealth management business in Australia called Navigator.
- In September 2011, Aviva sold the RAC plc breakdown recovery business.
- In February 2012, Aviva sold its health business that helped people at work.
- In July 2012, Aviva decided to sell or close 16 of its smaller businesses. This was to make the company simpler and stronger.
- In December 2012, Aviva sold its US business, Aviva USA Corporation.
- On 13 April 2015, Aviva took over another big company called Friends Life Group. This made Aviva even larger.
- In September 2017, Aviva sold its Italian joint venture, Avipop Assicurazioni.
- In March 2018, the company said it would buy smaller companies in places like Poland and Turkey.
- In November 2020, Aviva sold its businesses in Indonesia and Hong Kong.
- In 2021, Aviva sold its operations in France, Italy, and Poland.
- In April 2023, Aviva left the Confederation of British Industry.
- In September 2023, Aviva bought a life insurance company called AIG Life Limited.
- In November 2023, Aviva bought Optiom, a Canadian company that provides car replacement insurance.
How Aviva Works
Aviva's main jobs are to provide different types of insurance. They offer general insurance (like car or home insurance) and life insurance. They also help people save money for the future and manage investments.
The company has around 22,000 employees. It serves 18 million customers around the world. Aviva Investors, which is part of Aviva, manages a lot of money for its clients.
Main Companies Under Aviva
- United Kingdom
- Aviva Life – This part handles pensions, investments, and life insurance. It used to be called Norwich Union.
- Aviva Insurance – This part handles general insurance, including the Quotemehappy brand.
- Aviva Investors – This part manages money and investments. It used to be called Morley.
- Canada – Aviva Canada
- China – Aviva-Cofco
- India – Aviva India
- Ireland
- Aviva Direct
- Aviva Health
After the Friends Life Group joined Aviva in 2015, Friends Provident International Limited also became part of the Aviva Group.
Sponsorships
Aviva supports many sports and teams.
- In May 2008, Aviva became the main sponsor for Norwich City Football Club.
- Aviva also bought the rights to name the redeveloped Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This stadium is now called the Aviva Stadium. In January 2018, they extended this naming deal until 2025.
- Aviva sponsored the English Premiership (a rugby union league) from 2010 to 2018.
See also
In Spanish: Aviva plc para niños
