AXA appoints 7 regional managers

AXA Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary has appointed the new seven-strong regional broking management team that will lead its regionally-based sales teams.

The seven new positions have been filled since May through internal promotions and external appointments. Across southern England, the account managers are Mark Blanchette for the South East, Katie Glover for the South West and Pete Croftbaker for London.

The account managers appointed in other regions are Lisa Ross for Scotland and Borders, Phil Henshaw for the North, Stella Round for the Midlands and Suzanne Sheppard for East Anglia,

Operational support for the new teams will be provided by AXA’s personal lines trading centre in Ipswich, which is led by David Priest, head of regional brokers. Specific regional teams are in place to manage trading inquiries.

The support functions of AXA’s commercial lines and personal intermediary business have also been regionalised. Karen Taylor has been appointed as national development manager to lead the face-to-face account management teams and Sean Spinks has been appointed broker development manager to oversee the telephone account management teams.

Priest said: “We worked hard and dedicated a lot of time to ensuring we have recruited the right people, and we’re delighted with the result. We’re confident that we have a high calibre of talent in place, in what is a very competitive market.”

As well as providing brokers with a consistent point of contact and localised support around the country, the regional teams have also been given increased trading responsibilities, so that they can respond to brokers’ requests quickly and flexibly.

AXA managing director, personal intermediary Karen Hogg, said: “We listened to brokers and, based on their feedback, we built the regional structure around their needs. 

“The initial response from brokers has been positive; we have taken note, and have delivered on our promises. We believe this proposition is unique to AXA Personal Lines, and it will continue to evolve until we’ve reached our goal of becoming number one with regional brokers.”