AXA has appointed Claudio Gienal as CEO of AXA UK and Ireland, succeeding Amanda Blanc.

As part of the role which he officially assumes on 1 September, Gienal will be responsible for implementing AXA's Ambition 2020 Strategy, as well as leading the executive team and having oversight of the entire UK and Ireland business units.

Gienal joins from AXA Group where he most recently served as chief strategic development officer.

Gienal began his career at Accenture in 1998 before moving to McKinsey & Company in 2004. In 2008 he joined Zurich where he held a number of senior roles including COO for Zurich UK and CEO for Zurich Life Switzerland.

Speaking of the new appointment, Scott Wheway, chairman of AXA UK said: “Claudio is a leader who brings focus and collaboration, a strong and straight forward approach and an understanding of our UK business. I am confident he is the right person to take the UK and Ireland business forward, to deliver on our Ambition 2020 strategy, which remains unchanged, and to shape with the Executive team our strategic focus up to 2025 and beyond.”

Gienal added: “I am delighted to take up the role of CEO of AXA UK and Ireland and I can’t wait to get started. The UK business has a strong track record on innovation and is working hard to embrace the future of an ever-changing insurance industry.

“The business also has a real focus on diversity and inclusion among its staff and wants to foster greater trust with its customers, two issues which are close to my heart. I am looking forward to working closely with the team and am excited about being part of its ongoing success.”

The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.