Aegon finished its third quarter with profits of €541m, 47% more than the same period last year, thanks to selling more life insurance and earning more income from investments, the company announced on Thursday.

Aegon also said a new top man has been chosen: 47-year old Dutch native Alexander Wynaendts, who will succeed the American Donald Shepard when he retires in April 2008. Wynaendts is currently the operational director of Aegon.
The company said nothing on Thursday regarding the rumours that it was a strong candidate to take over the pensions insurer Zwitserleven that has been put up for sale by owners Swiss Life.