Aviva to Focus on Five Core UK Sites; Close Three Over Next 18 Months

By Ian Walker

LONDON--Insurer Aviva PLC (AV.LN) said Monday it will focus its U.K. operations on five core sites, with the closure of offices at Salisbury, Stretford and Salford over the next 18 months.

Aviva didn't say how many jobs will be affected by the closures, but has previously said it will cut 1,500 roles following its acquisition of Friends Life, which it completed in April. The three sites currently employ 1,085 staff.

At the time of its acquisition of Friends Life, Aviva set out a plan to deliver 225 million pounds ($348.19 million) of annual savings by the end of 2017 from a number of areas, including simplifying the business and reducing property costs.

"Any role reductions which may occur as a result of Aviva's integration with Friends Life will form part of the potential reduction of 1,500 roles we announced in January 2015," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Aviva's core locations in the U.K. will be Bristol, Norwich, Perth, Sheffield and York. These sites will be supported by a number of specialist and trading sites across the U.K., it said. Aviva's group headquarters will remain in London.

There will be a reduced presence in Dorking, but it will remain a specialist site for the corporate pensions business, Aviva added. It will also have a reduced presence in Exeter and Manchester city center.

"The changes will happen between now and the end of 2016 and we will look to minimize the impact by offering redeployment opportunities where possible," the spokesperson said.

-Write to Ian Walker at [e-mail]; @IanWalk40289749

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