Aviva plc was created following the merger of CGU plc (Commercial General Union) and Norwich Union plc in May 2000 but its roots can be traced back over 300 years.  Norwich Union was founded in 1797, while CGU origins go back to 1696 when ‘Hand-in-Hand’ (one of the earliest fire insurance companies) was established. This was one of many companies that later became absorbed into CGU.

Over the years the company has grown to become one of the world’s leading insurance organisations. The merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc in May 2000 created a successor company, Aviva plc (formerly CGNU plc).  Throughout their long history, they have developed their expertise in managing their clients’ assets. These skills were further enhanced with the purchase of Geoffrey Morley & Partners, which had built a reputation for providing independent investment management services to pension funds.  The asset management businesses of Morley Fund Management Ltd and Norwich Union Investment Management Ltd were merged in July 2000, and this business subsequently became Aviva Investors Global Services Ltd in September 2008.

Aviva Investors Global Services Ltd, along with other asset management businesses in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe owned by Aviva plc now represent a powerful global capability known as Aviva Investors

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