AXA XL shuffles Asia, Australia leadership to strengthen market presence

Re/insurer  AXA XL is shuffling its Australia and Asia leadership in a move to accelerate its growth plans and strengthen market presence in the region.

AXA XL’s Australia and Asia operations operate under one combined regional leadership structure within the APAC & Europe business unit. To deliver its strategy and better serve its clients & brokers, the insurer is adjusting its structure by aligning teams to be dedicated to either Asia or Australia with some global functions to remain APAC so that there is consistency in identified areas.

Catherine Carlyon has been promoted to AXA XL Insurance country manager for Australia, and Gilles Fromageot appointed as regional manager for Asia, with Craig Langham stepping down as regional leader for APAC and interim country manager for Australia.

Carlyon was previously head of claims for Asia Pacific (APAC). In her new role, she will lead the overall insurance operations and drive AXA XL’s go-to-market strategy in Australia, which is the third largest market by gross written premium for AXA XL’s APAC and Europe business unit.

She has led AXA XL’s claims team in APAC since 2017, having joined AXA XL in 2005. Before that she was chief of staff for global claims, and also worked in global claims management for ten years. Before joining AXA XL she spent a decade with KPMG as a chartered accountant, serving in the UK, Australia, and the US.

Carlyon will take up her post as AXA XL’s country manager for Australia on August 1. She is based in Sydney and reports to Xavier Veyry, chief executive officer (CEO) for APAC and Europe.

Fromageot becomes regional manager for Asia and takes up his post on September 1. He will be responsible for leading AXA XL’s growth plan and strengthening its market presence in Asia, including AXA XL’s current operations in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. He is based in Singapore and also reports to Veyry.

He joins AXA XL from AXA Korea, where he was president and CEO. He has held various executive roles in France, Spain, and Korea, and has been a member of the board of AXA Japan GI for six years. He currently serves as non-executive director at AXA Tianping in China.

Before joining AXA in 2007 Fromageot was an auditor and consultant at the French firm Mazars.

Langham will remain as senior advisor for Australia until the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition.

Veyry emphasised the diversity of Asia in terms of economy, business, and culture, noting his appointments were selected for their understanding of the region

“When making these appointments, I was looking for talents with extensive domestic and international experience. We all know Asia-Pacific is not a monolithic market; in fact, the countries are incredibly diverse in terms of economy, business, and culture,” he said.

Veyry added: “I have full confidence that both Catherine and Gilles, and the teams they will lead have the expertise, experience, and importantly, the mindset to ensure we succeed in Australia and Asia. Their appointments reflect AXA XL’s continued commitment to investing in the best talent to support our clients and brokers.”

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