Aviva CEO Adam Winslow comments on Flood Re Transition Plan

Authored by Aviva

Following the launch of Flood Re’s third Transition Plan last week, Adam Winslow, Aviva CEO, UK and Ireland General Insurance made the following comments:

“I was interested to read Flood Re’s Transition Plan last week and agree with the importance placed on making our country more resilient to flooding. UK homes and businesses need to be climate-ready, and it will take action from government, regulators and industry to make sure they are better protected from the increasing threats of extreme weather.

“Less than a fortnight ago, I was part of a roundtable discussion in Parliament focusing on how planning reforms can help. We talked about improvements to prevent homes and businesses from being built in flood zones; too many homes are still being built in the highest risk areas with no flood defences, which feels like we’re kicking the can down the road.

“Aviva has long-championed flood resilience and was one of the first insurers to sign up to the Flood Re Build Back Better scheme. Not only can this limit damage and help homeowners stay at home or move back quickly after a flood, there is a carbon benefit too. Our Building Future Communities report earlier this year showed that restoring a flooded home can create carbon emissions equivalent in scale to six and a half return flights from London to New York. These emissions can be cut by two thirds with basic property flood resilience measures.^.

“Flood Re has added valuable insight on this important issue and I know Aviva will keep making the case: building resilience into the very fabric of our nation’s buildings should be non-negotiable, given what we know is in store.”