Saga appoints new COO

(Sharecast News) - Over-50s specialist Saga has appointed Gilles Normand as its new chief operating officer with effect from 25 November, while former Legal & General executive Cheryl Agius will become chief executive of the insurance segment from 1 January.
Normand has spent the last 10 years in executive positions, driving change at several companies within the Covea Group, the largest personal lines insurance group in France. Most recently, he was group CEO at Swinton, Covea's retail insurer in the UK. Prior to that, he held senior positions in marketing and strategy for the French Banking Federation and Credit Agricole.

Saga said he will head up the company's transformation programme.

"With the Saga brand and its customers at the centre, he will focus on improving alignment and execution across the business, digital and marketing transformation and creating a simpler and more efficient group," it said.

Agius, who has 25 years of experience in the insurance, retirements and pensions sector, will lead all aspects of the insurance business and will be responsible for Saga's insurance strategy, building on the early success of its three-year fixed price product.

"Her experience and strong track record of delivery in senior strategic roles will be valuable as we bring together our Insurance broking, underwriting and claims management businesses," the company said.

Before joining L&G, Agius held roles at Aon Hewitt, Lloyds TSB and Towers Watson.

Chief executive officer Lance Batchelor said: "These are two important appointments as we continue the transformation of Saga, and both Cheryl and Gilles will help drive the new strategy we announced in April. They both have strong and very relevant experience of strategic delivery and will build on the momentum we have already created."