AEGON Details Implementation of UK Restructuring
By Aegon Uk, PRNEMonday, September 27, 2010
Measures aimed at reducing costs by 25%, improving returns and sharpening focus on key growth segments in UK market
EDINBURGH, September 28, 2010 - AEGON today provides further details on the implementation of its plans,
announced in June, to restructure and refocus its business in the United
Kingdom. In keeping with its aim to sharpen its focus on the At-Retirement
and Workplace Savings markets and reduce operating costs by 25% AEGON has
considered how all its businesses fit with its new strategy. As a result it
has decided to close its third party pension administration and its employee
benefits software businesses as these businesses are not core to its future
proposition.
AEGON has explored the strategic options for its back-books of business
and has decided to retain the closed book of business of Guardian Financial
Services, which continues to provide a steady cash flow to the company. AEGON
will also retain its life insurance and protection business, given that it
supports the company's aim to focus on the At-Retirement market in which
AEGON maintains a leading position. A broad range of cost saving measures
will be introduced across AEGON's UK businesses. To support these measures,
AEGON will implement a streamlined management and organisational structure
which will be in place by the end of 2011. This will result in some changes
to reporting lines and the loss of a number of senior management roles over
the course of the year.
In keeping with its statutory obligations under UK employment law AEGON
will soon begin formal consultation with Aegis and Unite, the trade unions
that represent its staff in the UK, regarding the impact of planned
restructuring measures on employees. Consequently, AEGON is not in a position
at this time to detail the number of positions affected.
Commenting on progress within the UK business, Alex Wynaendts, CEO of
AEGON N.V. says,
"The measures we are taking in the United Kingdom are essential to our
larger objective of improving returns and sharpening our focus on the
long-term prospects for our business. By reducing costs, improving service
levels and focusing on those market segments where we have leading positions,
I am confident that we will create a more efficient organisation, better
positioned to respond to market opportunities and the developing needs of our
customers. The UK continues to be a key market for AEGON and we are committed
to pursuing the future opportunities from a position of strength."
AEGON UK Chief Executive Otto Thoresen says,
"The decisions we have announced today follow a thorough review of our
businesses and how they fit with our new strategy announced in June. Our new
approach will see AEGON concentrate on the At-Retirement and Workplace
Savings markets, which are already positions of strength for us in the UK.
It's important that we continue to move forward with our restructuring
programme to create a more efficient business, improve returns and ensure our
long term success."
AEGON has already taken a number of measures to restructure its UK
operations, including the closure of its group risk business, its withdrawal
from the bulk annuities market and the reorganisation of the company's UK
sales division. This reorganisation, announced earlier this month, will
result in a net reduction of 106 roles.
AEGON's strategy is to increase long-term returns and focus on the
opportunities developing within its core businesses: life insurance, pensions
and asset management. Today's measures follow a thorough review of AEGON's
businesses in the United Kingdom to ensure that it meets the company's
requirements in terms of earnings growth, cash flow generation, return on
capital and focus on the life cycle needs of customers.
Notes to Editors
- AEGON's third party pensions administration business is part of its AEGON Trustee Solutions business unit, and currently employs 82 staff based in Daresbury, Cheshire. The business will move into a wind-down process. AEGON has already begun consultation with its trade unions to determine the impact on staff but there is no expected impact on roles within the next 12 months. - The remainder of the AEGON Trustee Solutions business, which provides support for clients moving from defined benefit to defined contribution schemes, based in Edinburgh, will be retained. - AEGON's employee benefit software business, AEGON Benefit Solutions, currently employs 7 staff based in London. The business will also move into wind-down. AEGON has already begun consultation with its trade unions to determine the impact on staff but there is no expected impact on roles within the next 12 months. - AEGON's adviser businesses, Origen and Positive Solutions, AEGON Ireland and AEGON Asset Management are excluded from this review. - In the UK AEGON offers pensions, life insurance, asset management and financial advice to around two million customers. AEGON UK has assets under administration of GBP 53.6 billion and employs approximately 4,000 staff in its life and pensions business, of which 2,400 are based in Edinburgh. - As an international life insurance, pension and investment company based in The Hague, AEGON has approximately 28 thousand employees world wide and 40 million customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia. AEGON's revenue generating investments totalled EUR 409 billion at 30 June 2010.
For further information
Lesley McPherson, Head of Media, AEGON UK - +44-(0)131-549-3782 /
+44-(0)7740-897541
Margaret Robertson, Media relations Manager - +44-(0)131-549-6798 /
+44-(0)7740-897527
For further information: Lesley McPherson, Head of Media, AEGON UK - +44-(0)131-549-3782 / +44-(0)7740-897541. Margaret Robertson, Media relations Manager - +44-(0)131-549-6798 / +44-(0)7740-897527
Tags: Aegon Uk, Edinburgh, September 28, United Kingdom