Boss to swap City life for Africa

Mr Harvey was inspired by his daughter's work in Uganda

One of the UK's most senior businessmen is to swap his City office for charity work in Africa when he retires in July.

Richard Harvey, chief executive of insurer Aviva, plans to spend a year living in Africa where he will work on behalf of international charities.

Mr Harvey said he had been inspired by his daughter who spent a year helping with Aids education projects in Uganda.

The 56-year old, who earned £1.9m last year, has been chief executive of Aviva since 2001.

I never had the gap year that my children did Richard Harvey A millionaire's African dream

Aviva said Mr Harvey planned to travel to Africa with his wife, who has recently qualified to teach English as a foreign language.

Although he has yet to decide where he will go and what sort of work he will do, a spokeswoman said he was keen to "roll his sleeves up".

"He wants to have the gap year he never had," she said. "He is keen to apply his skills to practical, on-the-ground work."