AXA makes key changes in AXA IM’s leadership: Gérald Harlin to become executive chairman

Gérald Harlin, AXA’s group deputy CEO and group CFO, will be appointed executive chairman of AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM), effective December 1. He will implement the next phase of AXA IM’s strategy with the aim of accelerating the company’s development. Harlin will continue to report to Thomas Buberl, CEO of AXA, in this role.

Andrea Rossi, who has been leading AXA IM since 2013, has decided to step down from his role as CEO and will become a strategic advisor to Gérald Harlin on December 1. All members of the AXA IM management board will report to Gérald Harlin from then on. Christof Kutscher, who has been chairman of AXA IM’s board of directors since 2014, has stepped down from his role. Gérald Harlin assumes the role of chairman of the board as of October 14.

“I would like to warmly thank Andrea for his commitment to AXA and AXA IM over the past 19 years,” said AXA CEO Thomas Buberl. “In his different roles, Andrea’s interpersonal skills as well as client-oriented mindset have been instrumental in significantly developing the group’s business.”

Buberl also thanked Christof Kutscher for the insights and contributions he has brought to AXA IM as chairman of the board of directors over the past years.

“I am happy AXA IM will continue to collaborate with Christof to benefit from his experience,” he said. “AXA IM is a core asset for AXA, and I am grateful that Gérald has accepted to take up this mission for the group and push back his retirement date. Building on the successful growth strategy and transformation led by Andrea over the last years, Gérald’s experience and leadership will be instrumental in harnessing the potential and energy of AXA IM’s teams, to initiate this new phase before handing over to his successor.”

Gérald Harlin added: “I look forward to working with AXA IM’s teams to accelerate the development of our franchise. I believe we can further leverage the strength of our unique combination of leading alternative and established core capabilities for both AXA companies and third-party clients. The quality of AXA IM’s investment teams, our diversified footprint on geographies and investment solutions as well as our strong convictions on ESG and active management are powerful assets that will help us progress AXA IM’s strategic journey.”

Harlin will remain group deputy CEO following the transition of his group CFO responsibilities to Etienne Bouas-Laurent at year-end 2019.

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