AXA XL shakes-up European operations, triggers executive level changes & exit

The chief distribution officer of APAC & Europe and regional manager of European Growth Markets at  AXA XL is leaving the business following the re/insurer’s decision to reorganise its European insurance operations into two geographical hubs.

Bruno Laval (pictured) will exit AXA XL to pursue opportunities outside of AXA Group. The company intends to appoint a new chief distribution officer for APAC & Europe in due course.

Peter Knaus will take helm of AXA XL’s operations in Northern Europe, which will include Germany, Switzerland, Austria & CSEE, Nordics and Benelux. He will assume the leadership of Northern Europe as regional manager, in addition to his role as country manager, Germany.

Julien Guénot will oversee the Southern Europe (comprising France, Italy and Iberia) as regional manager, in addition to his role as country manager, France.

Knaus has been with AXA since 1993. During his tenure, he held a number of senior underwriting and leadership roles, including head of commercial lines, chief underwriting officer and general manager at AXA Versicherung AG. He was appointed country manager, Germany for AXA XL in 2019.

Guénot started his career with AXA in 2003 before joining AIG and later joining AXA Corporate Solutions in 2009 to set up the company’s operations in Asia, supporting the development of the whole Asia-Pacific region. He then moved to Italy to lead AXA Corporate Solutions’ Italian and Southern European operations before being appointed country manager, France for AXA XL in 2018.

Xavier Veyry, chief executive officer of APAC & Europe, said: “I am delighted that Peter and Julien will be taking on additional responsibility. They are both accomplished leaders whose knowledge of these regions and track record are impressive. The creation of these hubs will allow us to strengthen the coordination of our local operations and to make our organization easier to navigate for our partners.”

Veyry added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Bruno for his dedication over his 20-year tenure with AXA XL, and for his contribution to our business in Europe and the wider Business Unit.”

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