DAVID Barral has soared to the top of the Aviva leadership tree in York.

The giant insurance and pensions group has promoted him from chief operating officer to chief executive of York-based Aviva Life.

Mr Barral succeeds Toby Strauss who is leaving after three years to take up a new role with Lloyds Banking Group.

The promotion to boss of nearly 3,000 people in York comes shortly after Mr Barral last week announced encouraging UK Life figures for the first quarter, with underlying sales up by seven per cent.

Nearly 12 years ago Mr Barral joined the group as a director for UK Life distribution, and in 2005 was appointed to the Life executive team as an intermediary and partnerships director. In December 2009 he was appointed chief operating officer.

It follows a career in financial services spanning 30 years, including roles with Eagle Star, Prudential and Morgan Grenfell.

His old responsibilities covering business development, distribution, marketing, customer services and operations, have now been split between two new appointments to the UK Life executive team.

Phil Willcock, managing director of UK Health becomes propositions director in addition to his UK health responsibilities; and Hugh Hessing will broaden his customer service responsibilities by becoming customer experience director.

Mr Barral will report Mark Hodges, who is a former chief executive at York before rising to become Aviva UK's chief executive.

Mr Hodges said: "I'm delighted to welcome David to my UK executive team. He has extensive financial services experience, a track record in business transformation and a great passion for delivering the best for our customers."