AXA Deputy CEO To Go Ahead With Delayed Retirement

Harlin’s CFO remit was passed on to Etienne Bouas-Laurent in January.     

Now it’s been announced that the AXA stalwart has decided to retire at the end of September, and AXA chief executive Thomas Buberl – who feels “particularly privileged” to have worked with Harlin – has nothing but nice words for his esteemed colleague.

“I would like to warmly thank Gérald for his very significant contributions to AXA’s success and his decisive role in making the group a world leader in insurance,” commented Buberl.

“I would also like to thank him for postponing his retirement last year to take over the leadership of our asset management entity AXA IM, to which he and his teams have given a new impetus by putting in place a new organization that is better adapted to its future development.”

Arriving as AXA IM executive chairman on September 14 is former Monte dei Paschi di Siena chief executive Marco Morelli. Harlin, meanwhile, will remain a member of AXA IM’s board of directors.

Buberl went on to state: “I am very happy that Marco is joining AXA. His 36 years of experience in banking and financial services, extensive knowledge of European markets, and proven leadership will be key assets to further develop AXA IM.”

The multi-asset investor arm operates out of 30 offices across 21 countries and employs more than 2,300 people. AXA IM had approximately €804 billion in assets under management as of the end of March 2020.