About Us

Allan Griffiths,
Chief Executive Officer

Allan Griffiths commenced with Aviva Australia in January 2001 as Managing Director of the life company and became the Chief Executive Officer of the Aviva Australia group in April 2003.

He is also a member of the Aviva Asia Pacific Executive Team Committee responsible for the strategic development of the region, which includes nine country business units.

As well as being a director of the Aviva Australia respective boards, he is also a director of CIMB Aviva Takaful Berhad (Malaysia), CIMB Aviva Assurance Berhad (Malaysia), Investment and Financial Services Association (IFSA), CARE Australia and Chairman of Aviva Investors.

Allan holds a Bachelor of Business, a Diploma from the Australian Insurance Institute and a Diploma of Financial Planning.

Rob Donaghy,
Chief Financial Officer

Rob Donaghy joined Aviva in 2001 and became the Chief Financial Officer in July 2007. Prior to this he was Group Director of Product, Marketing and Public Relations.  He is also the Appointed Actuary for the Life Company.

He has over 25 years experience in life insurance, superannuation and investments, including senior actuarial, strategy, marketing and capital management roles with the Commonwealth Bank and Colonial, in both the Australian and international businesses.

Rob is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and holds a Bachelor of Science.

Elizabeth Flynn,
Chief Legal Counsel

Elizabeth Flynn is Chief Legal Counsel, Group Compliance Manager and Group Company Secretary, Aviva Australia. Elizabeth is also a director of NULIS Nominees (Australia) Ltd, Aviva Australia's superannuation trustee company.

Elizabeth joined Aviva Australia in 1998 after 18 years as a corporate lawyer with Minter Ellison, one of the largest Australian Law firms. A partner of that firm, she specialised in superannuation, managed investments and structured finance. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Bruce Hawkins,
Group Director - Strategic Development

Bruce Hawkins is Group Director, Strategic Development. He joined Aviva in 1991 and has more than 20 years experience in the financial services industry, both in Australia and internationally.

Bruce has held a number of senior roles within the Aviva Group spanning Finance, Operations, Product and Strategy, specialising in the development and administration of platforms and superannuation services. The early part of his career was spent in chartered accounting practice with Arthur Andersen. He is a member of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Financial Planning Association and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Paul Shanley,
Group Director - Human Resources

Paul Shanley is the Group Director, Human Resources for Aviva Australia. Paul is responsible for Aviva's strategic human resources function including leadership and development, talent management, performance, rewards and payroll, recruitment, employee relations and cultural development.

Paul joined the Aviva group in 1996 and prior to his current role held senior finance management roles in the group.

Paul began his career in the chartered accounting profession and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and holds a Masters of Taxation and Bachelor of Business degrees.

Sharam Hekmat,
Chief Information Officer

Sharam Hekmat has been with Aviva since 2000. He was made Chief Information Officer in January 2006 and a member of the executive team in August 2008.

He has played a significant role in developing Aviva’s technology to be recognised as an innovator in the financial services market. He pioneered the design of Aviva’s adviser desktop tool (n-link) which has been recognised as the number one straight through online transaction processing tool for 4 years running.

Sharam has over 20 years IT experience and is the author of a number of text books on software engineering. His research innovations include the design of three new programming languages and development of commercial software engineering tools that have a large international user base. Sharam holds a Bachelor in Computer Science and Mathematics and PhD in Software Engineering.

Frank Lombardo,
Group Director - Operations

Frank Lombardo is Group Director, Operations and has been with Aviva Australia for over 15 years. He has held a number of senior management roles at Aviva across both Operations and Product.

Frank was instrumental in the successful consolidation of the Life Company & Navigator Operations administration function and he has been pivotal in driving the transformation of service levels throughout all areas of business at Aviva. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Commerce and is a Director of the AG Private Advisory Group of which Aviva has a stake.

Stephen Trist,
Group Director - Distribution and Marketing

Stephen Trist is Group Director, Distribution and Marketing.  Stephen has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry specialising primarily in financial planning, distribution and strategic roles.

Stephen joined Aviva Australia in 1990 and was an original member of Aviva’s Navigator Service.  Previous positions held at Aviva include General Manager, Key Accounts and General Manager FPI Software and Research.

He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Diploma in Financial Planning.