Global insurer AXA has revealed that Denis Duverne will retire from his position as Chairman of AXA’s Board of Directors in April of 2022, and will be succeeded by Antoine Gosset-Grainville.
After a comprehensive succession process led by the firm’s Compensation & Governance Committee over the past two years, the Board unanimously opted to appoint Gosset-Grainville as Duverne’s replacement upon his planned retirement next year.
“AXA has successfully completed its Ambition 2020 plan and is now fully focused on the implementation of its new three-year strategic plan, Driving Progress 2023. The Group has proven its great resilience through the crisis and stands well positioned for the future,” said Duverne.
“Following a comprehensive succession process, conducted in line with our governance standards, I am pleased that the Board has come to a unanimous decision on my successor, Antoine Gosset-Grainville. Antoine’s extensive experience in the world of business and public affairs, as well as his entrepreneurial track record in building a successful law firm in Paris, will bring a great deal to AXA and help drive the next phase of the Group’s success. I look forward to working closely with Antoine over the next year to ensure a smooth transition,” he added.
AXA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thomas Buberl, said: “Since 2016 it has been my privilege to work with Denis Duverne and I look forward to his continued support until the end of his mandate in April 2022. While Denis’ retirement will mark the end of an era for me, I am very pleased that Antoine Gosset-Grainville has agreed to become the Chairman of AXA in April 2022.
“His broad experience will be a valuable asset for the Management Committee and me in managing the challenges in front us. I would also like to thank the Board for having run such a high quality and comprehensive succession process.”
Gosset-Grainville’s career started in 1993 at the Inspection générale des finances, before he assumed the position of Deputy General Secretary of the European Monetary Committee and later of the Economic and Financial Committee of the European Union in 1997.
From 1999 to 2020, Gosset-Grainville served as an adviser for Economic and Industry Affairs in the office of the European Commissioner in charge of Trade. In 2002, he was named partner at Gide, where he managed the Brussels office for five years before becoming Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the French Prime Minister in 2007.
In 2020, he was appointed Deputy Managing Director of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations in charge of finance, strategy, investments and international operations, and Interim CEO of the Caisse des Dépôts Group from February to July 2012.
“I am very honored by the confidence the Board of Directors has placed in me and am proud to be part of the history of this great company, which has grown over the past decades to become a flagship of French and international finance. I would also like to thank Denis Duverne and Thomas Buberl for their trust. I look forward to working closely with Denis Duverne, Thomas Buberl and the Board over the next year to ensure a successful transition in April 2022,” said Gosset-Grainville.
