Aviva Ireland profits up 13%

The Irish arm of UK insurance giant Aviva grew its profits by 13% last year, with management stating the business is now “more sustainable” and well-placed to benefit from the country’s economic recovery.

On a group-wide basis, Aviva yesterday reported a 6% increase in operating profit to £2.17bn (€3bn). In Ireland, meanwhile, it saw a 13% jump in profit, across its three business lines, to €69m; with sales/revenue (gross written premium) and policy count — on the general insurance side — growing for the first time in eight years.

“Our results show that Aviva Ireland ended 2014 in a good position. We have more to do and we have a clear strategy in place to build on our performance in 2015,” said chief executive Hugh Hessing.