Insurance giant Aviva today announced that former Australian banking boss John McFarlane will become its chairman from next June.

Up to 500 insurance jobs are set to go after Norwich Union confirmed today it would be outsourcing two of its operations currently based at its centre in York.

The UK boss of Norwich Union insurer Aviva quit the business today.

A sales executive who let slip to his new employer that he smoked at home claims he was sacked on the second day of his job because they frowned on his habit.