David Simpson was appointed Chairman of Aviva Group Ireland plc in July 2008. He was first appointed to the board in October 2007. David was a founding partner of Simpson Xavier, now BDO Simpson Xavier and served as Managing Partner from 1987 until 1993. David was educated at University College, Dublin and qualified as a chartered accountant with SKC (KPMG). He is also a past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Jim Dowdall was appointed to the position of Chief Executive of Aviva Group Ireland plc in December 2009. He was previously Managing Director of Aviva's Health business in Ireland, a role he was appointed to in November 2008 from the position of Operations Director for Aviva's Health business in Ireland. Jim was appointed to the role of Operations Director in 2004 as a founder member of the VIVAS Health management team. Jim has also held senior management positions in Marrakech plc, an e-Commerce company and was European Director of Operations for Amdahl Corporation, a subsidiary of Fujitsu Corporation which specialises in IT and software solutions. Jim began his career in the financial services sector, working for Irish Life Assurance plc.

Dermot joined the group in January 2007 as Managing Director of Aviva Life Holdings Ireland Limited. Prior to this, Dermot held the position of Director of Sales & Marketing and Information Technology at Eagle Star Life Assurance Company Limited. Dermot began his career as an auditor with KPMG and Telecom Eireann. Dermot is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Michael joined Aviva Group Ireland plc in April 2007 in the role of Group Finance Director. Prior to his role with Aviva Michael was Finance Director and Chief Actuary for Canada Life Ireland and Canada Life Europe. Michael also spent 10 years with Watson Wyatt in the UK, where he worked in the areas of capital management and mergers & acquisitions. Michael is also a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and Society of Actuaries in Ireland.

Aidan Holton was appointed as Group Finance Director of Aviva Group Ireland plc on September 1 2008. Aidan previously worked with Irish Life Assurance where he held the position of General Manager – Finance & IT. Aidan has worked in the financial services industry for over 20 years. Having qualified as an accountant with Irish Life, Aidan then moved on to actuarial studies and ran the finance functions since the late 90’s and added the IT division to his role in 2005.

Walter was appointed to the board in October 2007 and was appointed Chairman of Aviva Health Insurance Ireland Limited in June 2008. Walter is Managing Partner of Vincent and Beatty, one of Dublin’s leading commercial law firms. Walter serves on the board of Jurys Doyle and Aldi Ireland and is a past member of the Council of the Law Society of Ireland.

Dermot was appointed to the board in January 1998 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Aviva Group Ireland plc. In recent years, through his investment vehicle - DGD Investment Ltd - he has specialised in the originating, structuring, financing and the execution of private equity investments in a number of business sectors and in particular in the rental of equipment to the event sector. He is also a founder member of the Support Africa Foundation - a development organisation in Ethopia.

Lorraine was appointed to the board in September 1997. Lorraine previously held the role of Chairperson of the Small Firms Association (SFA). Lorraine is also the proprietor of Summerhill House, Woodland Court and Esplanade Bray hotels in County Wicklow. She is also proprietor of two small restaurant chains – Beshoff Restaurants Ltd. and LS Catering.

Dónal was appointed to the board in April 2006. He is also the Managing Director of AIB Bank, Republic of Ireland and President of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. Dónal is also a member of the Audit Committee of the Aviva Group Ireland plc and was co-opted on to the Board of Chambers Ireland in 2003.