Strong overall financial performance
Operating profit rose 25% to GBP 2.2 billion; basic operating EPS was 56p (ahead of the 55p baseline); IFRS return on equity was 17.5%. Cash remittances increased 4% to GBP 2.1 billion and own funds generation (OFG) was GBP 2.3 billion. Solvency cover was strong at c.180%.
Capital returns to shareholders
Final dividend increased 10% to 26.2p (total dividend 39.3p, +10% year-on-year). Share buyback programme resumed at GBP 350 million. Management reiterated progressive dividend policy and regular buybacks as part of capital allocation.
General Insurance growth and improving margins
Group General Insurance premiums grew materially (Amanda: +18% year-on-year; Charlotte noted U.K. & Ireland premiums +27% driven by Direct Line inclusion). U.K. combined ratio was 93.9% (1.0 point improvement); group combined ratio reported ~94.6% with management targeting 'better than 94%' for 2026 (subject to normal weather). GI operating profit expanded (c. GBP 1.5 billion) and GI represented the largest share of unit profit.
Wealth momentum — higher assets, flows and profitability
Wealth AUM > GBP 230 billion; record net flows almost GBP 11 billion. Workplace AUM GBP 153 billion with net flows +6% and ~GBP 1 billion of regular monthly member contributions. Adviser Platform flows +11%; Direct Wealth customer base grew ~33% to >100,000. Wealth operating profit +36%, operating margin improved ~1.1 percentage points and operating profit as a portion of revenue reached 23% (+4 points). On track for GBP 280m Wealth profit ambition in 2027.
Retirement & bulk annuity capability
Wrote GBP 4.6 billion of bulk purchase annuities in 2025; Aviva Investors originated GBP 3.5 billion of real assets to support deals. Achieved mid-teens IRR on transactions and individual annuity sales were up 19% to GBP 1.6 billion (highest since 2015 reforms).
AI and operational efficiency gains
Tangible AI benefits already realised: halved medical underwriting review time, reduced call wrap time by 20% in Direct Wealth, and c. GBP 100 million saved so far through claims transformation. Announced partnership with OpenAI and progressing an in-house AI-enabled claims agent to handle simple claims end-to-end (voice-enabled). Management are funding AI/automation within existing change budgets and citing further upside.
Direct Line integration progress and cost synergy delivery
6-month contribution included from Direct Line; GBP 2.9 billion of assets transferred to Aviva Investors; Direct Line cost programme of GBP 100m achieved and first GBP 50m of group cost savings realised in H2 2025 (contributed ~GBP 10m to 2025 operating profit). Group uplifted cost savings ambition to GBP 225m (remaining GBP 175m to be delivered over the next three years) and investing c. GBP 50m to capture at least GBP 50m annual claims cost benefits.