Michele Golunska elected as MD of Wealth and Advice at Aviva

Aviva today announces the appointment of Michele Golunska as Managing Director of Wealth and Advice*. Michele will have responsibility for Aviva’s intermediary platform business, the workplace business, heritage customer solutions and Aviva’s advice operations comprising of Succession Wealth1, Aviva Financial Advisers and Sesame Bankhall Group.

The appointment not only signals Aviva’s commitment to the strategically important Wealth market, where we have strong market positions, but also recognises the growing importance of advice.

Doug Brown, CEO of UK & Ireland Life at Aviva, said: “I am delighted to announce Michele Golunska as our MD of Wealth and Advice*. Michele has considerable experience in the Wealth market, most recently in her current role as CEO of Sesame Bankhall Group.

“Aviva is a major player in the IFA and workplace markets, and we are also significantly expanding our advice capability to ensure that we can offer much-needed financial advice to more customers. Michele has a key role to play in delivering our ambitious plans for these areas and I am delighted to welcome her to my team.”

Michele Golunska said: “This is a great opportunity to build on Aviva’s strengths in the Wealth and Advice markets. I am committed to strengthening the relationships we have with the advice community including James Stevenson and his team at Succession Wealth. I am a passionate believer in the importance of providing high quality advice to customers to help improve their financial wellbeing.”

Following Michele’s appointment, Ross Liston Sesame Bankhall Group Managing Director, Distribution, will take over as interim CEO of Sesame Bankhall Group*.

Rob Barker, currently MD Wealth, is leaving Aviva to pursue other opportunities. Doug Brown said: “We thank Rob for his considerable contribution over the last eight years during which time he has led Aviva’s Wealth business, the Health and Protection businesses, as well as heading up UK Strategic Partnerships, Distribution and Propositions.”  

Aviva is also appointing a Managing Director of Direct Wealth, to build on its existing direct operations which comprise its direct-to-customer platform business and Wealthify. This will reinforce Aviva’s ability to offer solutions to customers whether they wish to take financial advice or deal directly. Sarah Layden, Interim Direct Wealth Director, will lead the team on an interim basis.