JOHN Lister joined Aviva in 1986 and is the group chief financial officer of Aviva UK & Ireland Life and the Group business development officer.

He has more than 25 years' experience working in the UK Life business, and is an actuary, having spent the first nine years of his career in a variety of senior actuarial roles across the UK Life business before becoming its chief actuary in 2005.

In 2009 he became finance director of Aviva UK Life, and in July 2012 he was appointed group chief risk and capital officer and led capital management across the Group until July 2014.

As a resident in York for 25 years Mr Lister is also committed to promoting community involvement.

He said: "Aviva is the largest financial provider in the UK, employing approximately 3,000 people in the city so we care about the community and environment in which our staff and their families live.

"Aviva plays an active role in the community, most notably via our five-year global programme, Aviva Street to School, which is focused on helping street children in the communities where we do business.

"Aviva is also a founder member of York Cares, which I chair. York Cares is the pre-eminent employee-volunteering charity in the city whose membership includes 25 employers including City of York Council, The University of York, York Marriott Hotel, Northern Rail, Network Rail, FERA, York Press and more."

Since its launch in 2006, York Cares has engaged 3,000 employee-volunteers who have given over 15,000 hours to the city.

York Cares is also known for its award-winning Starting Blocks programme which provides supported work experience for young people leaving care, and York Children’s University, which seeks to inspire 7-14 year olds in areas of disadvantage by linking real life and learning.

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"An architect because I love design and the thought of designing something in which people can live, work, play and hopefully be proud of appeals."

Greatest achievement?

"Putting four kids through university and still being married to my wife Mary despite the demands of being in a senior executive position and all that entails."

What makes you most angry?

"Not a lot makes me angry but a fair amount frustrates me. People not being the best they can be, politicians making short term decisions that aren't beneficial in the long term etc."

Biggest mistake?

"Choosing to support my home team, Norwich City with all the trauma that brings."

What do you need to make life complete?

"That's a difficult question because I am always looking for new and interesting things to do and see so it will never be complete. Having said that without my family and friends I would be incomplete."

Why do you make a difference?

"I care about what I do, how I treat people and demand a high standard of myself and others."

Epitaph

"It was a better place when he left than when he arrived."