The head of Aviva in the UK, Mark Hodges, has resigned today to take charge of Maidstone-based Towergate Insurance.

The head of Aviva in the UK, Mark Hodges, resigned today to take charge of Maidstone-based Towergate Insurance.

Qualified accountant Mr Hodges joined the business in 1991 and was finance director of Norwich Union Insurance from 1999 to 2005, overseeing an off-shoring project sending work to India and Sri Lanka.

He went on to hold a number of senior roles, including stints as chief executive of both the general insurance and life arms of the group, before becoming overall UK chief executive in January last year.

He will become chief executive of Towergate Insurance on October 1 and is currently on gardening leave.

Mr Hodges said that the chance to take the lead of the largest independent insurance intermediary in the UK was 'irresistible'.

'After more than 20 years with Aviva I have much affection for the business and I wish my former colleagues all the very best,' he said.

Towergate Insurance has offices in Bury St Edmunds, but it is expected that Mr Hodges will work between the firm's Maidstone and London offices.

Mr Hodges is also chairman of Shaping Norfolk's Future, the county's economic development partnership, but it is expected that he will stand down form this role.

Towergate Insurance is owned by Norfolk-born Peter Cullum, who in 2008 staged a �20m attempt to become a majority sharehold in Norwich City Football Club.

Aviva has announced that Trevor Matthews, previously vice chairman of Friends Life, will take over as Mr Hodges' replacement.

Mr Matthews was also previously chief executive of Friends Provident Holdings, chief executive of Standard Life's UK life and pensions business, managing director of Legal & General in Australia and is currently chairman of the Financial Skills Partnership.

Andrew Moss, group chief executive of Aviva, said: 'After a successful career at Aviva I am very sorry to see Mark leave, but we understand that

he wishes to take on a different challenge at this stage in his career.

'We wish him well in his new position.'

He added that Mr Matthews had an 'outstanding track record of achievement in insurance globally'.

Trevor Matthews said: 'It is a privilege to join Andrew Moss and the Aviva leadership team. Aviva is a business that I have always admired and seen as a formidable competitor in my previous roles.

'Over the coming years I am confident that Aviva UK will continue to strengthen its position as the

country's undisputed leader in insurance.'

David Barral, chief executive of UK Life and David McMillan, chief executive of UK General Insurance, will continue to run their arms of the firm.

Mr Hodges is due to receive an honorary doctorate in civil law from the UEA next month.

For a full list of this year's honorary degrees look on pages 28 and 29 of tomorrow's EDP.