Insurance giant Aviva hints at a retreat from the world stage in another blow to ‘Global Britain’

Has the retreat been sounded at another of Britain’s small band of ‘global’ companies? After well over a decade of trying to be an international heavyweight, Amanda Blanc, the new CEO of Aviva, says she wants to “focus on our strongest businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada and aim to be the UK’s leading insurer”.

Aviva is a sprawling business that offers everything from pensions to pet insurance and has its flag planted in numerous countries.

There had been some speculation of a possible break-up of its life (which includes pensions, other long-term savings and insurance) and general insurance (home, motor, pets etc) operations, but that doesn’t appear on Blanc’s menu.