Strategic support for SME’s in 2025

Dave Wheatley, Group Protection Head of Regional Accounts at Aviva, shares our priorities for supporting SME's in 2025.

As we navigate through 2025, Aviva Group Protection is poised to make significant strides in supporting the UK’s estimated 5.48 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) [1]. Last year’s acquisition of AIG Life brought a significant transfer of knowledge and expertise to Aviva around the specific needs of SME’s. We’re building strong foundation for the future with our four key strategic pillars centred around the needs of financial advisers and their clients in the SME space.

Aviva's SME priorities for 2025

1. Technology: We’re committed to reviewing and refreshing our technology to better support advisers in the SME sector. This includes making processes more efficient from pre-on-risk to post-on-risk stages, ultimately simplifying life for advisers and clients alike.
   
   
2. Pricing: Recognising the competitive nature of the SME market, we aim to ensure our pricing remains attractive while offering a compelling proposition and value-added services. This balance is crucial for being a preferred provider in the SME segment.
   
   
3. Service: With the acquisition by Aviva, my team and I bring a wealth of experience and established relationships with advisers across the country. We’re dedicated to providing day-to-day support, addressing scheme-specific queries, and offering technical assistance for both prospective and existing clients.
   
   
4. Support: We plan to enhance our support for SMEs by emphasising the importance and impact of group protection. Our goal is to establish a long-term strategy that balances value for money while positioning Aviva as the top choice for SME group protection from both adviser and employer perspectives.

Conclusion

Aviva's strategic vision for 2025 is clear: to be the leading provider of SME group protection by focusing on technology, service, pricing, and support. With the valuable insights and experience gained from AIG Life, we are well-equipped to support financial advisers and their clients, driving growth and innovation in the SME sector. As we move forward, our Aviva commitment to excellence and support for its adviser community is helping pave the way for a successful and sustainable future.

Source
 1)      Business population estimates for the UK and regions 2024: statistical release - GOV.UK Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

.