Former IAG CEO Michael Hawker has been appointed as an independent non-executive director of British insurance giant Aviva.

Aviva Chairman Lord Sharman of Redlynch says Mr Hawker’s “deep understanding of insurance and financial markets and his experience of leading large customer-focused business will be invaluable to Aviva”.

Mr Hawker was CEO and MD of IAG from November 2001 to May last year, when he resigned with immediate effect citing a loss of shareholder confidence.

His new position takes effect on January 1. Mr Hawker also currently serves as an advisory board director at Hong Kong-based private equity firm GEMS and is a non-executive director of the Australian Rugby Union.