Canada Life has appointed Lindsey Rix as UK chief executive following the departure of Doug Brown towards the end of last year.

The news follows Rix’s exit from Aviva, which came to light yesterday. Rix had been Aviva UK savings and retirement chief executive since the start of 2020.

She previously held the role of managing director for the arm of the business from 2017 to 2019.

An announcement from Aviva yesterday said it had appointed Rob Barker as managing director of Aviva UK savings and retirement with immediate effect. But it made no mention of Rix.

The company confirmed to Mortgage Strategy sister magazine Money Marketing that Rix had left to take an external role.

As chief executive for the UK business of Canada Life, Rix will report to David Harney, president and chief operating officer Europe for Great-West Lifeco.

Rix will be tasked with delivering a major transformation programme to support the company’s ambition to become a “major competitor” in the retirement market.

This combines the “core strengths” of its wealth, insurance and asset management business.

Her appointment is subject to regulatory approval and her start date at Canada Life is yet to be revealed.

Harney says: “After an open and thorough search of the market I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Lindsey as our UK CEO.

“Lindsey joins the business in the midst of a major transformative programme and I know she will do a fantastic job in completing the work while we also pursue our ambitious growth agenda. This is a fantastic opportunity for Lindsey to make her mark and I and the board look forward to working alongside her to make that happen.”

Rix adds: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to be able to lead the UK business, conclude the transformation agenda and focus on new areas of growth. In combination with the strength of our brand and reputation, I can already see the huge untapped potential to really make a difference, supporting advisers and their clients build better futures.”