• A new operating model is proposed to support AXA IM’s ambitious strategy and better align with clients’ needs
• A renewed Management Board will steer AXA IM’s transformation journey

AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) today announces that it intends to sharpen its operating model and focus its organisational structure to help drive future growth and protect competitiveness. The proposed operating model and streamlined organisation will enable AXA IM to better cater to clients’ needs through a segmented approach. They would also support developments notably in the Alternative investments space, as well as increasing synergies between Core investment expertise to foster innovation.

AXA IM’s future operating model would be centred on four principles – simplicity, agility, empowerment of teams and consistency across AXA IM. Upon its introduction, AXA IM would be organised in four pillars:

• Client relationships centred on two distinct segments – Institutional and Wholesale / Retail
• Core investments bringing together the Fixed income, Framlington Equities and Multi Assets Client Solutions platforms
• Alternative and Specialty investments comprised of Real Assets, Structured Finance and Chorus as well as Rosenberg Equities and High Yield
• Transversal support functions including Global Transformation, HR and Communications, Global Operations, as well as General Secretary functions with the aim to support and enable AXA IM’s transformation

“I believe the steps we are looking to take not only respond to our industry challenges in terms of customer centricity but also provide AXA IM with an inspiring vision and roadmap for the future. Accelerating our strategy as an active manager thanks to new ways of operating and a simpler organisation, notably in the alternative investment space, while becoming even stronger in core investments will foster sustainable growth for the ultimate benefit of all our stakeholders.” commented Andrea Rossi, CEO of AXA IM.

A new management team

To support this transformation journey, AXA IM also announces a renewed Management Board (MB). Effective 19 June 2018, AXA IM’s MB will be composed of the following members reporting to Andrea Rossi.

Francisco Arcilla as Global Head of Sales
Bettina Ducat as Global Head of Product, Retail and Institutional Development
Matthew Lovatt as Global Head of AXA IM Framlington Equities
Jean-Christophe Ménioux as General Secretary and CFO
Joseph Pinto as Global Chief Operating Officer
Heidi Ridley as CEO of AXA IM Rosenberg Equities
Isabelle Scemama as CEO of AXA IM Real Assets
Hans Stoter who joins AXA IM as Global Head of Fixed Income. Following Laurence Boone’s recent decision to join the OECD, Hans Stoter will also take the interim responsibility for Multi Assets Client Solutions
Amélie Watelet as Chief Transformation Officer and Global Head of HR and Communications

“I am proud to introduce AXA IM’s new MB. I am confident that this diverse, committed and highly experienced team will successfully drive our transformation journey. I would like to thank Mark Beveridge, Christophe Coquema and John Porter who have stepped down from the MB for their pivotal contribution to AXA IM during the last years.” said Andrea Rossi.

Investing in the future

To fuel its development as a long term active asset manager, AXA IM is planning to invest circa 100 million euros in four offerings and client priorities by 2020:

• Alternatives, Multi-Asset and Fixed Income specialty investment strategies – to better cater to Institutional as well as Wholesale/Retail investors, building on AXA IM’s historical strengths
• ESG integration across investment teams and the development of the responsible investment product offering
• Digital and advanced data analytics capabilities to supplement decision-making in investment processes and deploy differentiating services to clients
• Quant and data science skills as well as additional investment competencies to fill product gaps

These investments would be fully financed by circa 100 million euros of savings, over the same period, thanks to the proposed focused operating model and leaner organisation. The implementation of the target organisation could potentially impact 210 positions worldwide in 2018, mainly in France (approximately 160 positions) and the UK (approximately 40 positions).

AXA IM is committed to supporting its employees through the change period and to limiting social consequences as much as possible. The target organisation could be implemented in Q4 2018 following social consultation.

“AXA IM will remain focused on servicing its clients with the same level of dedication and attention during this change process which is key to ensure the company continues to grow, brings value to its current and future clients and remains a key player in the asset management industry in the long term.” concluded Andrea Rossi.

Source: AXA IM