AXA Group chairman to retire in 2022; successor revealed

Re/insurer AXA Group has confirmed its new chairman of the board who will replace Denis Duverne in 2022.

Duverne is set to retire at the end of his current mandate in April 2022.

AXA's board of directors has unanimously decided to appoint Antoine Gosset-Grainville as the new chairman, effective on Duverne’s retirement. The appointment followed a comprehensive process led by AXA's Compensation & Governance Committee.

Gosset-Grainville is the former deputy managing director of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations in charge of finance, strategy, investments and international operations, and interim chief executive officer of the Caisse des Dépôts Group from February to July 2012. In April 2013, he co-founded law firm BDGS Associés.

"Following a comprehensive succession process, conducted in line with our governance standards, I am pleased that the Board has come to a unanimous decision on my successor, Antoine Gosset-Grainville," said Duverne.

"Antoine’s extensive experience in the world of business and public affairs, as well as his entrepreneurial track record in building a successful law firm in Paris, will bring a great deal to AXA and help drive the next phase of the Group’s success. I look forward to working closely with Antoine over the next year to ensure a smooth transition."

Duverne added: "AXA has successfully completed its Ambition 2020 plan and is now fully focused on the implementation of its new three-year strategic plan, Driving Progress 2023. The Group has proven its great resilience through the crisis and stands well positioned for the future.”

Thomas Buberl, chief executive of AXA, commented: “Since 2016 it has been my privilege to work with Denis Duverne and I look forward to his continued support until the end of his mandate in April 2022. While Denis’ retirement will mark the end of an era for me, I am very pleased that Antoine Gosset-Grainville has agreed to become the Chairman of AXA in April 2022. His broad experience will be a valuable asset for the Management Committee and me in managing the challenges in front us. I would also like to thank the Board for having run such a high quality and comprehensive succession process.”

Gosset-Grainville said: “I am very honored by the confidence the Board of Directors has placed in me and am proud to be part of the history of this great company, which has grown over the past decades to become a flagship of French and international finance. I would also like to thank Denis Duverne and Thomas Buberl for their trust. I look forward to working closely with Denis Duverne, Thomas Buberl and the Board over the next year to ensure a successful transition in April 2022.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.