AXA IM Names Ouajnat Karim as New UK CEO
18 NOV, 2024
By Jose Luis Palmer from RankiaPro Europe
AXA Investment Managers has announced the promotion of Ouajnat Karim to CEO of its UK business, effective 11 December 2024, pending regulatory approval. Karim will succeed Marcello Arona, who is departing the firm after two decades to pursue new opportunities.
Extensive Experience at AXA IM
Karim joined AXA IM in 2007 and has held various senior roles during her tenure. Earlier this year, she was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Global Head of Oversight for the firm’s Core Investments division. In her new role as UK CEO, she will retain some of her current responsibilities while reporting to Jean-Christophe Menioux, AXA IM’s CFO and General Secretary, and Geoffroy Reiss, COO and Global Head of Transversal Services for AXA IM Core.
This promotion reflects her deep knowledge of the business and her strong focus on governance, people, and clients—qualities AXA IM highlighted as key to her success in the role.
Leadership Transition and Future Outlook
Karim will take over from Marcello Arona, who has led AXA IM UK since 2021. Menioux expressed his gratitude for Arona’s contributions, saying: “I would like to warmly thank Marcello Arona for the significant contribution he has made to AXA IM over the last 20 years and wish him every success for the future.”
As CEO, Karim will oversee AXA IM’s UK operations, driving the firm’s strategic objectives and ensuring its continued growth in the competitive investment management sector. Her appointment underscores AXA IM’s commitment to leveraging internal talent for leadership roles and maintaining its client-focused approach.
This leadership transition is expected to position AXA IM for further success as it navigates the evolving investment landscape.
