AXA UK picks new commercial COO — and she has no experience of insurance

AXA UK has unveiled a new chief operating officer (COO) for the commercial business. But the executive who will succeed Tim Yorke has no experience of the insurance sector.

Ursula Wyman (pictured) has been appointed as COO of AXA Commercial, she will also sit on the insurer's commercial executive committee. Meanwhile Yorke will be leaving the business at the end of the month.

Wyman is joining AXA from outside of the insurance industry. She has over 20 years of experience in telecoms, travel and financial services. Most recently, she led the global group delivery function at IQ-EQ, an investor services group, leading the shared services function and driving operational transformation. Prior to that, Wyman held various roles within Expedia Group, directing the global operations teams, developing new support products and taking charge of strategic growth and transformation programmes.

In her new role, Wyman will be responsible for leading the operations functions including transformation and digital strategies at AXA UK, as well as helping navigate operational requirements associated with COVID-19.

“I am very excited to have joined AXA – I can see great opportunities to advance the Commercial operations here and drive initiatives to shape the future of the business,” said Wyman. “It is a very exciting time to enter the insurance industry and I am really looking forward to learning more about the sector.”

Jon Walker, chief executive officer of AXA Commercial, commented: “I am very pleased to welcome Ursula to the team. I am sure her breadth of knowledge will support the business to advance operational delivery and prepare for the future as we progress our digitisation and innovation agenda.”

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