John Pollock, executive director and chief executive of the Legal & General Assurance Society division, has been described as the company's equivalent of the famous musician, following his decision to retire.
He served on the board for 11 years and will stand down at the May 2015 AGM.
Legal & General Group chief executive Nigel Wilson said: "John's passion for L&G is matched by his enthusiasm for playing rock guitar. He has been our Jimmy Page, providing the soundtrack to our success over many years along with many an inspired riff.
"We all wish him well as he moves towards retirement."
Mr Pollock, who has overseen businesses which generated £444m profit in 2013, joined Legal & General in 1980, and was appointed to the board in 2003.
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
His career at Legal & General has included a variety of senior posts in IT and customer services, sales and the UK operations, as well as serving overseas as managing director in Asia and chief executive of protection and annuities where he doubled the scale of the annuities business.
Mr Wilson said: "It has been a privilege to work with John, who has been instrumental in making Legal & General the successful company it is today.
"He has ensured we have the right values and culture to back up our financial success, and he has led from the front in everything he has done, not least in delivering socially useful products and value for customers.
"He has built a strong leadership team around him and with the long notice period he has given us this will allow us to implement a seamless succession."
Legal & General's UK retail protection business, which has been the principal focus for much of Mr Pollock's career, since 2000 has grown from a market share of 5% to over 25%. Under his leadership, Legal & General gained more than 1 million auto-enrolled employees.
Mr Pollock said: "Retiring from an organisation of L&G's stature is hard; the people and the culture are strong beyond description and the success we have achieved is impressive. I hope I have contributed to that culture and success and leave the board with a company in better shape than when I joined it.
"As part of a team you get to do your part (a bit like being in a band), but it is relentlessly the team that drives success.
"L&G has been a passion for me for 35 years and despite it being right for me to step away now, I know I will miss it."
Legal & General chairman John Stewart said: "His business achievements alone add up to a hugely successful career, but it is his combination of commercial acumen and commitment to customers that really set him apart."