The ABI has announced two new Board appointments – Claudio Gienal, Chief Executive, AXA UK and Ireland, and Craig Thornton, General Insurance and Protection Director, Lloyds Banking Group. Craig is chair of the ABI Audit Committee.
Commenting on the appointments, Amanda Blanc, ABI Chair, and CEO of ZURICH, Europe, Middle East & Africa said:
“Both Claudio and Craig bring a wealth of experience and insight to the ABI Board. Their fresh perspective will be invaluable as the industry navigates through a period of unprecedented challenge, change and opportunity.”
Claudio Gienal said:
"I am delighted to be joining the ABI Board at such an exciting time in our industry. The pace of change through technology and innovation is extraordinary and will transform not only how we interact with our customers but also the products and services we offer. The Board plays a key role in steering ABI policy and I look forward to working with fellow members to ensure that our industry retains its relevance in our society and world leading reputation."
Craig Thornton said:
“The ABI plays a highly significant role in shaping the insurance and long-term savings industries and I am looking forward to working with the rest of the Board to support the developments that our customers and organisations want to see.
“The insurance market continues to evolve, responding to digital developments and changing customer demands. However, what remains unchanged is our need to protect ourselves, our families, our belongings and to plan for the future, and the ABI will help ensure this need is met for as many people as possible in the UK.”
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Notes for Editors
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1. Biographies
Claudio Gienal
Claudio Gienal is currently Chief Executive of AXA UK and Ireland. He joined the company in July 2017 and was previously Chief Strategy Development Officer, European Markets and served as member of the European Management Committee.
Prior to joining AXA, Claudio spent ten years at Zurich where he held a number of senior positions including Chief Strategy Officer for the Zurich Group, CEO of the Zurich Life Insurance Company and Chief Operating Officer of Zurich Insurance UK.
He is currently a board member for AXA Konzern in Germany and Switzerland-based insurance start-up JAROWA. Claudio previously served on the board of Farmers New World Life in the US and is a council member of the British Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
Claudio began his career as a management consultant working for McKinsey & Company and Accenture. He has a Masters in Environmental Engineering from ETZH Swiss Federal Institute.
Craig Thornton
Craig joined Lloyds Banking Group as General Insurance Director in 2013 and became General Insurance and Protection Director in 2016. He moved from Aviva where he was UK Life CFO and a member of the UK Board, having previously held roles as UK Commercial Director and UK CRO. A qualified actuary by profession, Craig has significant experience across general and life insurance as well as wholesale markets through spending 11 years at Swiss Re.
Craig was Chair of the Industry Advisory Board which supported and led to the creation of Flood Re, was previously a member of the ABI Board and remains a member of the ABI General Insurance Council and Audit Committee.
2. The Association of British Insurers is the voice of the UK’s world leading insurance and long-term savings industry.
A productive, inclusive and thriving sector, we are an industry that provides peace of mind to households and businesses across the UK and powers the growth of local and regional economies by enabling trade, risk taking, investment and innovation.
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4. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.