MutualFundWire.com: A Former Fund Chief Climbs Another Rung at Aegon
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Former Fund Chief Climbs Another Rung at Aegon


The chief of Aegon's annuity and mutual businesses is climbing up another rung. On Thursday the Dutch firm revealed that Mark Mullin will soon take the reigns as CEO of the Americas and a member of the Aegon management board. His promotion will put into play the company's succession plan following the retirement of current CEO Pat Baird on January 1st, 2010.

In his new role, Mullin will oversee Aegon's operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, and he will oversee Aegon's global life reinsurance activities, in addition to serving on Aegon's management board.

This promotion is just the latest step in Mullin's upward climb at Aegon, which he joined in 1987, as he was named President and CEO of Diversified Investment Advisors, an American retirement plan provider and subsidiary of Aegon, in 2002, and became the chief of Aegon's annuity and mutual fund businesses in 2006. Most recently, Mullin was appointed President of Aegon Americas in January 2009.

“I am extremely honored by this opportunity to build on the solid progress achieved in recent years within Aegon Americas," Mullin stated. "Now more than ever, our customers require high quality products and services that will give them greater control over their financial futures and ultimately peace of mind regardless of market swings and inevitable economic volatility.”

Following Baird's retirement in January, his management board responsibilities for the Asia-Pacific region will be assumed by Aegon CEO Alex Wynaendts.

“Mark is ideally qualified to lead Aegon Americas in what continues to be a challenging but exciting time in the world's largest market for life insurance and pensions," Wynaendts stated. "Mark's extensive knowledge of Aegon and its businesses will serve him well as he and his team work to further strengthen our position in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas.”

Company Press Release

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, November 12 -- AEGON announces the appointment of Mark Mullin as CEO of AEGON Americas and member of the AEGON Management Board to succeed Pat Baird, who retires January 1, 2010.

Mr. Mullin began his career with AEGON in 1987. Since then, he has held various positions within the AEGON organization both in the United States and in Europe. In 2002, he was appointed President and CEO of Diversified Investment Advisors, AEGON's US provider of pensions and retirement services and in 2006 became head of AEGON's annuity and mutual fund businesses. In January this year, Mr. Mullin was named President of AEGON Americas, working closely with CEO Pat Baird.

"Mark is ideally qualified to lead AEGON Americas in what continues to be a challenging but exciting time in the world's largest market for life insurance and pensions," said AEGON CEO Alex Wynaendts. "We are grateful to Pat for his leadership and many contributions to the growth of our business in the Americas. Mark inherits a dedicated, customer-focused organization, with leading market positions, a diverse business mix and a broad distribution network. Mark's extensive knowledge of AEGON and its businesses will serve him well as he and his team work to further strengthen our position in the United States and elsewhere in the Americas."

As President and CEO of AEGON Americas, Mr. Mullin will have responsibility for AEGON's operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. Mr. Mullin will also serve on AEGON's Management Board. In this capacity, Mr. Mullin will assume the added responsibility for AEGON's global life reinsurance activities. Mr. Baird's Management Board responsibility for the Asia-Pacific region will be taken over by Mr. Wynaendts. Mr. Mullin's appointment to the Management Board is subject to approval of the Dutch Central Bank.

Mark Mullin stated: "I am extremely honored by this opportunity to build on the solid progress achieved in recent years within AEGON Americas. Now more than ever, our customers require high quality products and services that will give them greater control over their financial futures and ultimately peace of mind regardless of market swings and inevitable economic volatility. I look forward to working closely with the talented and dedicated people who lead and support our businesses as we build upon AEGON's leadership position in serving this developing need."

In total, AEGON employs approximately 14,500 people in the Americas and serves over 30 million individual policy and certificate holders. AEGON Americas also includes the Transamerica companies, AEGON's leading retail brand in the United States.

Pat Baird began his career at AEGON USA in 1976. Since then, he has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Tax before being appointed to CEO and President of AEGON USA in March 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, Mr. Baird has served as a member of AEGON's Management Board. Mr. Baird also led AEGON's efforts to expand its businesses in Canada and Mexico. He recently concluded a one-year term as Chairman of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), the leading industry organization in the United States, and will continue to serve next year as a member of its Executive Committee.


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