CGNU Becomes Aviva
CGNU PLC
1 July 2002
CGNU BECOMES AVIVA
The Board of Aviva plc (formerly CGNU plc) announces that the company has
formally changed its name to Aviva plc with effect from today. This follows
approval from shareholders at the 2002 Annual General Meeting.
The London Stock Exchange mnemonic for the company will change from 'CGNU'
to ' AV.' with effect from 2 July 2002. The stock code for the company's
secondary listings on the Dublin and Paris exchanges will remain the same
(i.e. GU8 and 5662 respectively).
Currently the company has more than 50 trading names worldwide, with multiple
brands in some countries, such as France. Consolidating under one brand will
increase awareness of the group around the world and generate considerable
marketing synergies.
For commercial reasons five of the strongest brands will not change. These
are Norwich Union (UK), Delta Lloyd (Netherlands), Commercial Union (Poland),
Hibernian (Ireland) and NZI (New Zealand). The words 'an Aviva company'
will generally be added to marketing materials to demonstrate their membership
of the Aviva group.
Shareholdings are unaffected by the name change and existing share
certificates should be retained, as they will remain valid for all purposes.
Any new share certificates issued after 1 July 2002 will bear the company's
new name.
Richard Harvey, Group Chief Executive, commented:
'Bringing our businesses together under the Aviva brand is sound commercial
logic and brings many benefits. It will create greater value from our
marketing spend, particularly in advertising and sponsorship. This will
heighten awareness of Aviva around the world and make it easier for the group
to attract new customers and enter new markets. Our company is the result of
a large number of transactions over many years and bringing it together under
one brand will help create a stronger sense of belonging for our 64,000
employees around the world.'
Enquiries:
Analysts / Investors:
James Matthews, Head of Investor Relations +44 (0)20 7662 2137
Press contacts:
Hayley Stimpson, Director of External Affairs +44 (0)20 7662 7544
Alex Child-Villiers, Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7269 7107
Notes to editors:
* Aviva is the UK's largest insurance group, one of the top-five life insurers
in Europe and has substantial positions in other markets around the world.
It is the world's seventh-largest insurer based on worldwide gross written
premiums.
* Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management
and general insurance, with worldwide premium income and retail investment
sales from ongoing business of more than £28 billion, and over £200 billion
of assets under management at 31 December 2001.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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