Trevor replaces Mark Hodges who has today resigned from the board of Aviva to join Towergate Insurance as its group chief executive.
Matthews is currently vice chairman of Friends Life and was previously CEO of Friends Provident Holdings. He was also 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 in the UK.
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.
"I am delighted that Trevor Matthews has agreed to join Aviva as the UK CEO and as an executive director. Trevor has an outstanding track record of achievement in insurance globally and will be a strong addition to our leadership team.''
Matthews added: "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."
Trevor Matthews will join Aviva as soon as possible. David Barral, CEO UK Life, and David McMillan, CEO UK General Insurance, will continue to run Aviva's market leading insurance operations in the UK with responsibility for driving forward plans to further improve profitability, expand distribution and effectively serve customers' needs.
