Insurance

AXA brings together Asia, Africa and AXA Emerging Customers to drive regional synergies

To drive synergies across growth markets and to support the implementation of its new strategic plan, “Driving Progress 2023”, AXA has announced that AXA Asia will expand to include Africa, select Middle East markets, and additional Asia markets, becoming AXA Asia & Africa.

With this move, Gordon Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Asia will become Chief Executive Officer, Asia & Africa, effective immediately.

Building on existing scope for Asia covering Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the expanded region will now include Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, as well as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The move will enable AXA to realize its ambitions for rapidly growing markets across Asia and Africa, with particular opportunities for synergy in the area of Health, exemplified by the recent opening of AXA OneHealth and its 16 clinics in Egypt. This reflects the company’s commitment to an inclusive vision of health equity, finding ways to improve health outcomes for all. 

The expanded region will also incorporate AXA Emerging Customers, the company’s unit focusing on closing the protection gap by addressing the insurance needs of the low income to mass market segments, who are largely under-insured due to a lack of access and familiarity with relevant, affordable  insurance solutions. With the aim of becoming the first insurer for emerging customers and protecting 25 million of them by 2023, AXA Emerging Customers offers inclusive, innovative and accessible solutions leveraging its strong partnerships with leading institutions from public and private sectors across local markets.

 

"I am excited to be taking on oversight of our mature and emerging markets across Asia and Africa, as well as Lebanon. This will enable AXA to deliver more holistic solutions that span the spectrum of customer needs, enabling us to fulfil our role as being partners in their life journey. We will continue to develop innovative, holistic solutions that will be tailored to meet the unique needs of each market. I look forward to strengthening AXA’s footprint in these key markets and consolidating our leadership in the industry, said Gordon Watson, Chief Executive Officer, Asia & Africa, AXA.

 

Gordon became Chief Executive Officer of AXA Asia in January 2018 and has been instrumental in driving its growth in the region, particularly through a pivot to health to deliver products that address both physical and mental well-being. Prior to joining AXA, Gordon held senior leadership roles at AIA / AIG across multiple continents, including Africa. He is also the Founding Chair of Shared Value Initiative in Hong Kong, a non-profit organization that helps businesses create competitive advantage by aligning profit and purpose.