Aviva, the world’s sixth-largest insurance group, has announced the appointment of Clifford Abrahams as group M&A director with effect from 10 October 2005.

Mr Abrahams joins Aviva from Morgan Stanley, where he is currently managing director of investment banking. He has significant mergers and acquisitions experience from eight years with Morgan Stanley’s financial institutions group and four further years with the company in broader M&A roles.

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Mr Abrahams was a strategy consultant with LEK Consulting.

Mr Abrahams replaces Mark Dearsley who took up the role of Aviva Life International’s finance director earlier this year.