Aviva's adviser platform has kicked off this calendar year as dramatically as it did the last, with platform boss and 22-year servant Tim Orton leaving the business.
The life company's adviser platform had a torrid 2018 after migrating clients to its new, FNZ-powered platform last January. The migration preceded a struggle throughout the rest of the year as the platform was beset by a litany of issues.
Orton, who became Aviva's platform CEO in 2014 and was later promoted to MD of Savings, oversaw Aviva's vital re-platforming project.
A spokesperson said: "Tim Orton has decided to leave Aviva to pursue interests outside the company after 22 years of service with Aviva and we wish him the best for the future."
Roger Marsden, formerly MD of retirement at the group, will take over from Orton as MD of savings on an interim basis, Aviva confirmed.
Aviva's technology shift saw it move from Bravura software to FNZ in 2018 after a series of delays throughout 2017. A difficult time has followed for the firm - it wrestled with numerous issues with the new platform, leaving advisers and clients alike stranded with the poor service they received.
The platform crashed in April, for example, some three months after it was launched, as Aviva struggled to get to grips with the new technology that was trailed as an upgrade.
Orton is the second high-profile exit close to the re-platforming move after its technology provider FNZ parted ways with its chief operating officer last May. Professional Adviser understands FNZ was keen to make senior personnel changes in response to the troubles Aviva suffered after its re-platforming migration.
