Specialty risk firm AXA XL, a subsidiary of global insurer AXA, announced this week that it has appointed Xavier Veyry, the country CEO of AXA China, to head its Asia and Europe operations. The appointment is part of an overhaul of its leadership structure which will see the leaders of geographical business units joining the leadership team.

Veyry has spent 24 years with AXA, holding a variety of senior leadership positions around the world including his current roles as country CEO of AXA China, Chairman of AXA Tianping in China, and Chairman of AXA General Insurance in Korea. His expertise is in business transformation and performance, with his past accomplishments including building AXA's healthcare practice in the Middle East, heading the consolidation of AXA's direct insurance subsidiaries, and transiting AXA Tianping to a fully-owned model in 2019 from the original joint venture model with local investors.

AXA XL CEO Scott Gunter, who was himself appointed just a few months ago, said: “Xavier’s extensive international experience positions him ideally to lead AXA XL’s business across Asia and Europe. When we think about Asia and Europe in terms of a business unit, we know that it’s incredibly diverse in terms of economies, business and culture. I believe Xavier has the knowledge and, importantly, the first-hand experience and mindset to lead our teams in these incredibly important markets.”

Veyry will step down from the AXA China role later this year to take up the new appointment, which will be based in Dublin, Ireland and report to Gunter.