AXA has announced a series of senior leadership changes effective December 1, as the group prepares for its next strategic cycle and looks to strengthen its focus on underwriting, technology and operations.
The restructuring sees several key appointments drawn from AXA's internal talent pool. Guillaume Borie, currently CEO of AXA France, will assume the role of global head of finance, strategy, underwriting, risk and technology, succeeding Frédéric de Courtois.
Borie, who has been part of AXA since 2009, will oversee the group’s financial and strategic direction, alongside its underwriting and technology transformation.
Mathieu Godart, CEO of AXA France’s property and casualty and partnerships division, will step up as CEO of AXA France, joining the group’s management committee. Godart has held multiple leadership positions across AXA’s retail and commercial lines since 2011, including distribution, marketing, and claims operations.
Matthieu Caillat, currently chief operating officer at AXA XL, will become group chief technology and AI officer and CEO of AXA Group Operations. His appointment highlights AXA’s intent to accelerate its technology and AI initiatives, building on the work of outgoing COO Alexander Vollert.
Meanwhile, Karima Silvent, group chief human resources officer, has been appointed deputy general secretary, expanding her remit to include human resources, audit, compliance, and AXA EssentiALL.
Strengthening focus on risk, underwriting and technology
The reshuffle marks a strategic move to align leadership around AXA’s core insurance and risk functions as the company transitions beyond its current “Unlock the Future” plan.
The combination of underwriting, risk, and technology under a single global function signals a tighter integration of data-driven decision-making in both pricing and claims management.
Industry analysts suggest AXA’s renewed focus on underwriting and AI reflects a broader trend among global insurers to improve technical profitability amid persistent economic volatility and climate-related exposures. Enhanced technology capabilities are expected to support predictive underwriting models and operational efficiencies across markets.
Preparing for the next phase
AXA Group CEO Thomas Buberl said the leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for the group, following years of strategic repositioning. The move builds on AXA’s sustained efforts to modernise its operations and leverage internal expertise for long-term growth.
Once the changes take effect, AXA’s management committee will include 15 members overseeing the group’s finance, underwriting, operations, and market divisions. The appointments remain subject to regulatory and corporate approvals.
