Generali appoints former AXA P&C chief Granier as new CEO of France

Italian insurer Generali has appointed Jean-Laurent Granier as country manager for France and président directeur général (PDG) of Generali France with effect from June 1, 2017.

In this capacity, Granier will join the group management committee of Assicurazioni Generali.

The current PDG of Generali France, Eric Lombard, will leave the position on May 31, 2017. Lombard will continue to assist the group CEO on strategic and institutional affairs and will maintain the current role of chairman of Europ Assistance and member of the board of directors of DVAG until the end of the year, when he will leave the group.

Granier has been the chairman and CEO of AXA Global P&C and a member of the AXA Management Committee from January 2012 to June 2016. He has been the CEO of the Mediterranean and Latin America Region, and a member of the AXA Executive Committee since January 2010. He joined UAP in 1990, then AXA in 1997 and worked in various positions at AXA France.

"I am very glad to welcome Jean-Laurent Granier into the Generali Group," Generali Group CEO Philippe Donnet said. "He brings extensive experience in the global insurance sector and a deep knowledge of the French market, which represents a key market for us.

"I’m convinced that Jean-Laurent is the right choice to lead the acceleration of the industrial turnaround of our business. I would like to thank Eric Lombard for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the financial turnaround in a very competitive and challenging market."

Lombard commented: "It’s been an honour to be part of Generali France for the past three years. Together with our outstanding team at Generali France, we managed to successfully turnaround this company, which is now solid and profitable. Today we are a business well positioned to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. I wish Jean-Laurent all the best in the future and ongoing success for Generali France."

Granier added: "I am delighted to become part of Generali, one of the major players in the global insurance industry. I’m honoured to be able to put my professional experience at the service of this prestigious Group and play a role in working towards its future success. I am sure that with the support of all Generali’s people, we will continue the growth and the expansion of the company in France."

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