AXA group CFO Gérald Harlin to leave after 29 years; triggers reshuffle

French insurer AXA has unveiled leadership changes that will take effect after the departure of its group chief financial officer (CFO) Gérald Harlin, who is leaving the company after 29 years.

Harlin, group deputy CEO and chief financial officer, and a member of AXA’s management committee, has decided to retire on January 1, 2020.

Harlin will be succeeded by Etienne Bouas-Laurent, currently CEO of AXA Hong Kong. Bouas-Laurent will become deputy CFO and a member of AXA’s management committee on September 1 and group CFO on January 1, 2020.

Bouas-Laurent joined the group in 1997 and has held several financial and operational roles throughout his career at AXA.

Additionally, Alban de Mailly Nesle, chief risk officer, head of insurance office, and a member of the management committee, will become chief risk and investment officer, taking the additional responsibility of overseeing the group investment department, in addition to group risk management and ceded reinsurance.

Furthermore, Georges Desvaux, previously senior partner at McKinsey & Company, is appointed chief strategy and business development officer of AXA and joins AXA’s management committee as of September 1.

Karima Silvent, chief human resources officer, will join AXA’s management committee as of September 1.

“The Management Committee is looking forward to start working with the new members of the team, who demonstrate the quality and the depth of AXA’s leadership teams, as well as our ability to attract the best international talents," said Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA.

"I would like to warmly thank Gérald for his very significant contributions to AXA’s success and development over the past three decades," Buberl added. "During his tenure, Gérald has held major financial and operational positions ranging from Treasury to Asset Management, within AXA France as well as the Corporate Center. He has played a key role in establishing AXA as one of the world’s leading insurers. In his latest position as Group Deputy CEO and CFO, he has been instrumental in developing AXA’s transformational strategy and its operational implementation during the past 3 years.

"I wish Etienne, Alban, Georges and Karima all the best in their new roles to accelerate the implementation of our Ambition 2020, as well as the preparation of our next strategic plan.”