Aegon CEO Alex Wynaendts will detail today the company's approach for capturing growth in its core businesses and markets in the coming years. Speaking at the opening of Aegon's two-day Analyst & Investor Conference in London, Mr. Wynaendts will present plans to strengthen Aegon's position in the At-Retirement market in our established markets in North America, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Additionally, he will discuss our plans to leverage our strong capabilities in providing protection and asset accumulation products and services in developing markets throughout Central & Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America.
"Across our businesses, we continue to execute on our strategic transformation while capturing growth opportunities in our various markets," said Mr. Wynaendts. "However, our business environment is changing rapidly and we need to adapt accordingly. This is why we are reshaping our business, expanding in new business models and aiming at getting closer to our customers. Putting the customer first in everything we do is instrumental in realizing our ambition to become a leader in our chosen markets."
Building on a strong foundation
Aegon today is a different company than just a few years ago. Over recent years, we have implemented a broad restructuring program to sharpen our focus on our core businesses, to significantly reduce our overall cost base and to create greater efficiencies across the organization. This has resulted in a shift from spread-based to fee-generating business and a substantially improved risk-return profile, the divestment of non-core businesses and an improved capital base ratio.
New business realities call for new business models
Continued demographic and economic uncertainties have increased opportunities for us to pursue our core mission of helping customers achieve their long-term financial security. To capture these opportunities, Aegon will accelerate the development of new business models by investing in innovative technology-driven distribution channels, with the aim of connecting better and more often with customers, improving service levels and increasing retention rates. We will also extend our investments in technology to support intermediaries as they adapt to the changing environment for distribution, as is underway in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Getting closer to our customers
"Getting much closer to the people who depend on us requires developing new direct relationships by accelerating our investment in technology and better leveraging local initiatives across our businesses," said Mr. Wynaendts. "The opportunities for our business are substantial and the actions we have taken in recent years have strengthened Aegon's position, consistent with our targets and aim to be a leader in all our chosen markets in the coming years."
