AXA Retail appoints new Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer

• Marco Distefano is appointed as Managing Director for Motor and Home at AXA Retail Insurance
• Marco joins from Aviva where he launched the Quote me happy.com brand
• Anna Fleming appointed as AXA Retail Insurance’s Chief Operating Officer
• Anna joins from the Motor Insurers' Bureau

AXA UK Retail Insurance has announced the appointment of Marco Distefano as Managing Director for Motor and Home and Anna Fleming as Chief Operating Officer. The two senior hires will help the business achieve its strategic ambitions and build on its innovative value proposition for customers.

Marco Distefano joins AXA UK Retail Insurance in May as Managing Director for Motor and Home. This follows 15 years at Aviva where he most recently led the Aviva Direct business. Marco has a proven track record in leading and transforming businesses and was responsible for the design, launch and leadership of the successful Quote me happy.com brand. 

Anna Fleming also joins in May as Retail Chief Operating Officer (COO). Having trained as a solicitor, Anna spent a number of years in key claims roles at Zurich, including Chief Claims Officer, before moving to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) as COO. Anna has significant experience in delivering transformation projects. She led on the MIB’s transformation programme and other key initiatives, including the implementation of the portal and contact centre to deliver the Whiplash Reforms.

They will both report into Tara Foley, Chief Executive Officer of AXA UK Retail Insurance. Both appointments will take effect from 4th May 2021.

Tara Foley, Chief Executive Officer of AXA UK Retail Insurance commented, “I’m thrilled that Marco and Anna will be joining us. They both have a proven track record of driving innovative transformation and strategic change, and I’m excited to work with them on delivering our strategy within AXA Retail.”

Marco Distefano, Managing Director for Motor and Home, AXA Retail Insurance said, “I am delighted to be joining the AXA team at such an exciting time for the business and industry. We are in an unprecedented period of change for the Retail Insurance market and AXA is well placed to lead and innovate for customers. I am looking forward to working closely with the team and our distribution partners to support our shared growth ambitions. Together we will evolve our strategy right to proposition and create increasing value for our customers.”

Anna Fleming, Chief Operating Officer, AXA Retail Insurance added, “It’s great to be joining AXA at this exciting time. I look forward to working with the brilliant Retail team which Tara has assembled and really delivering for our customers."

Authored by AXA