EMBATTLED insurance giant Aviva unveiled a major sell-off plan as part of efforts to turn around the business in the wake of the resignation of its chief executive Andrew Moss.

Executive chairman John McFarlane, said a review of 58 divisions had identified 16 weak performers that would be sold, including the bulk annuities business in the UK.

Mr McFarlane took over leadership in May when Mr Moss stood down following a shareholder revolt over executive pay and the group’s shares performance.

The former bank chief said the proposals would create “a leaner and more agile” business with a “less layered and bureaucratic management style”.

Mr Moss left the group after 59% of votes failed to back Aviva’s pay report in one of the biggest protest votes of the so-called “shareholder spring”.

About 10% of shareholders went against or withheld their votes on the re-election of Mr Moss.

Aviva’s share price declined by about 60% during Mr Moss’s near five years at the helm. They closed yesterday up 3.2p or 3% at 284.6p.

Mr McFarlane unveiled a series of concerns flagged by shareholders alongside the disappointment over the shares performance.

He said shareholders found the business difficult to understand and feel it has expanded the international scope too far. Shareholders feel Aviva is too exposed to the eurozone, he added.

Mr McFarlane also said investors find its financial statements to be “cumbersome and difficult to understand”.

In addition to the 16 businesses flagged for sale, Aviva highlighted 27 segments that will require significant improvement, such as Ireland General Insurance.

Other businesses set for disposal are a number of small Italian partnerships and its South Korea division.

The group expects the bulk of the changes to take place over the next 12 months.