AIA’s chief executive has told friends and industry executives that he would quit if the UK’s Prudential succeeded in its $35.5 billion takeover of the Asian businesses of AIG.

Mark Wilson has said he would step down once the deal closed because the proposed combination of the two Asian businesses was “unworkable”.

Hong Kong-based Mr Wilson (43) joined AIA from Axa in 2006 and boasts more than a decade of senior management experience in the Asian insurance industry.

“Mark remains loyal to AIA, but doesn’t plan to stay with the merged group because he feels it is a disaster waiting to happen,” said a source. – Copyright the Financial Times Limited 2010