Regional office to play major role in Aviva’s tie-up with Tesco

The insurance giant has struck a five-year distribution agreement for the sale of its core protection products, including life insurance and critical illness cover, to the Edinburgh-based bank’s 6.5m customers.

The partnership will be targeting the estimated three in five families who do not have life protection cover.

A spokeswoman for Aviva told the Yorkshire Post: “The team who will be looking after Tesco customers will be based in our Sheffield offices, so this is great news for Yorkshire. People are already being trained for the launch later in the year and we’re really looking forward to working with Tesco.”

Aviva has 4,500 staff in Yorkshire, including 1,700 in Sheffield. Its life business, led by chief executive David Barral, is headquartered in York.

Mr Barral said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for two household names to deliver a real benefit for millions of people across the UK who have no family protection in place.

“Together we can provide Tesco’s customers with peace of mind, offering a quick and easy way to purchase a range of protection products to suit their individual needs.”

He added: “We know too well the challenges families face when they lose a loved one or experience a critical illness, but having financial protection in place can provide some comfort and stability at a difficult time.”

The agreement starts later this year and will see products sold online and over the telephone, with customers also able to obtain information through some of Tesco’s 2,900 stores.

Aviva already provides a private medical insurance scheme for Tesco’s 300,000 UK employees.

Julie Hopes, a director at Tesco Bank, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our relationship with Aviva.”