Axa XL announced today its Sydney-based Head of Claims APAC Catherine Carlyon has been promoted to Country Manager Australia, with her appointment to take effect on August 1.

She will lead the overall insurance operations in her new role, driving the insurer’s market strategy in Australia, the third largest market by gross written premium for Axa XL’s APAC & Europe business unit, the company says in a statement.

Ms Carlyon replaces Robin Johnson who left in May last year and will report to APAC & Europe CEO Xavier Veyry. Under changes made in April last year to its insurance operating model, Australia is now grouped under Asia and Europe.

Regional Leader APAC Craig Langham, who has been filling the role on an interim basis since Mr Johnson’s departure, will remain as Senior Adviser for Australia until the end of this year to ensure a smooth transition before stepping down from the two roles.

Mr Veyry says Ms Carlyon and the team she will lead “have the expertise, experience, and importantly, the mindset to ensure we succeed in Australia”.

Ms Carlyon has led Axa XL’s claims team in the Asia Pacific region since 2017 and prior to this, she was chief of staff for global claims.

Before joining the business in 2005, Ms Carlyon worked at KPMG for a decade as a chartered accountant, covering accounting and consulting on organisational, finance and process matters with insurance companies. During this period, she worked in the UK, Australia and the US.

Axa XL also announced the appointment of Gilles Fromageot as Regional Manager Asia, with effect from September 1.

Mr Fromageot is presently Axa Korea President and CEO, a role he took on in April 2017, according to his LinkedIn account.

In his new role, he will be responsible for leading Axa XL’s growth plan and strengthening its market presence in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

He will be based in Singapore and will report to Mr Veyry.