Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland brings in valuable experience

Michelle Leahy will manage group protection, underwriting, income protection and life claims, Aisling Kennedy has joined the Aviva board

Aisling Kennedy and Michelle Leahy, new roles with Aviva.

Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland has appointed Michelle Leahy as head of insurance operations, a newly created role for the company.

Michelle Leahy will manage group protection, underwriting, income protection and life claims. She brings over 25 years' experience leading pricing, underwriting and strategic insurance functions across Ireland and Europe.

Michelle has held senior executive roles at Utmost Worldwide and Utmost Pan Europe (formerly Generali Pan Europe), where she has led corporate solutions, pricing and employee benefit functions. 

Barry Cudmore, CEO of Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, said: “Michelle’s depth of experience across group protection, underwriting and international insurance solutions will be instrumental as we continue to enhance outcomes for our customers and brokers.” 

 Earlier in her career, Michelle established strong foundations at Mercer, progressing through multiple roles across pensions, actuarial services, health and benefits, before later leading Group Risk business in Ireland.

Michelle holds a BSc in Financial and Actuarial Mathematics from DCU and is a qualified financial adviser (QFA). She has completed the Irish Management Institute’s AI for Financial Planning qualification and is currently undertaking the Institute of Directors’ Chartered Director programme.

Meanwhile, Aisling Kennedy has joined the Aviva board as an independent non-executive director, while also joining the audit and risk committees. A fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland, she brings extensive insurance sector experience.