Hundreds of UK jobs at Aviva are set to be axed as part of its global cost-cutting programme, it has been reported.
According to the Eastern Daily Press (EDP), the insurer is looking to cut 650 roles - including 180 based in Norwich - and 300 contractor posts across the UK, as part of its international plan to cull 2,000 jobs.
The EDP estimated that up to 360 jobs could be lost in the City as part of the drive.
The paper reported that a memo, sent by chief operations officer Cathryn Riley, stated that the insurer needed a "more flexible resourcing model".
She wrote: "As a leadership team we are clear on the actions we need to take to become more efficient and at the same time build the right capability and shape of organisation for the future.
"We need to build a more flexible resourcing model to respond to highs and lows in demand, invest in future capability and get basics of service and ways of working right."
She continued: "This means that we will have an organisation which is very different in both shape and size."
Changes
Meanwhile, Aviva confirmed in a statement that the restructuring bid "will be on-going throughout the rest of 2013".
"A number of teams across the UK have been briefed on changes affecting them," commented the insurer.
"As we have said previously, we do not take these decisions lightly and we will be working hard to minimise any impact by closing vacancies and looking at redeployment options across the wider business.
"We cannot give any further detail in terms of locations or numbers as we are still working this through in the business areas affected."
In April, the insurer confirmed that 2,000 jobs will be cut across the UK, Europe and Asia over the next six months, equating to 6% of its global workforce.
And yesterday, ratings agency Moody's downgraded the insurance financial strength rating of Aviva group's main operating units to A1 from Aa3.
