Key personnel
Here you can find out more about the key personnel at Groupama Insurances.
François-Xavier Boisseau
Chief Executive Officer
François-Xavier Boisseau joined the AXA Group in 1990 from SNPE. In 1993 he moved to the UK with AXA Insurance UK where he held various senior positions, including Director of Customer Service.
In 1998 François-Xavier moved to AXA Global Risks as Deputy Managing Director, and he returned to AXA UK as Director of Underwriting and Claims in 2000.
François-Xavier joined Groupama Insurances as Managing Director in 2003 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in November 2007. He has specific responsibilities for the operations and strategic direction of the UK group, together with ongoing liaison with Groupama in France.
Laurent Matras
Managing Director
Laurent joined Groupama Insurances in 2008, taking up the position of Managing Director. He has full operational responsibility for general insurance and healthcare; his role encompasses underwriting, sales, customer service and claims.
Having worked in the UK insurance market for around 12 years, Laurent has experience in a variety of areas including underwriting, finance and actuarial. Prior to joining Groupama, Laurent was at Axa Insurance, where his most recent role was that of Finance Director.
Until 1999, Laurent was a financial analyst for AXA's Group Corporate Finance team in Paris before a move to the UK as Head of Actuarial at AXA Insurance UK.
Here he held roles as Head of Personal Lines Underwriting and Finance Director before becoming a member of the Executive Committee and Management Board, responsible for 300 people.
He has a degree in economics and business from ESSEC in Paris and is also a qualified actuary.
Paul Picknett
Corporate Services Director
Paul began his career with Royal Insurance Group in 1978 as a graduate trainee. He progressed through various claims and underwriting roles both in London and overseas before becoming Technical Support Manager (South America) in 1987. He transferred to the operation in Chile for two years as Assistant General Manager.
On his return to the UK, Paul joined the Strategic Development unit of Royal Insurance Group and was involved in the creation of a 'greenfield' direct writing operation.
In 1993, Groupama invited him to join their International operation in Paris with responsibility for providing the interface with the operations in Spain and the UK.
Paul relocated to the UK in the role of Operations Director with Lombard General Insurance. He was appointed Corporate Services Director at Groupama in 2002 with responsibility for Strategy, Human Resources and Marketing.
Roy Sampson
Finance Director
A qualified Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute, Roy joined GAN in 1997 as Group Accountant.
In 2003, he was promoted to the position of Finance Director, with responsibility for the implementation and delivery of certain strategic projects. Roy now has specific responsibility for all management, statutory and regulatory reporting.
As the head of the finance teams, he is also responsible for Groupama Insurances' investments and credit control.
Previous to this he was Audit Manager for Ernst & Young and a Director of a London Market Agency covering Marine, Aviation and Treaty business.
Jamie Marchant
Marketing and Communications Director
Jamie was promoted to the position of Marketing and Communications Director in 2002 and has responsibility for the UK Group's marketing, communications and media relations activities.
Previously at Guardian Royal Exchange in a senior claims capacity, Jamie joined Lombard Continental in 1987.
He was appointed Marketing Development Manager in 1989. Jamie joined the Company's General Management team as Marketing Manager, prior to the Company's successful flotation on the London Stock Exchange.
In 1999 and as part of the formation of Groupama Insurances, Jamie was appointed Group Marketing Manager to support the launch of the Groupama brand in the UK.
With over 30 years experience in the insurance industry, Jamie is a Chartered Insurer and a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Paul Cann
HR Director
Paul joined Groupama in July 2008 from ING Bank where he was Head of HR Operations. He spent over eight years with ING where he also held senior HR generalist positions, advising a variety of areas across the Wholesale Banking business.
With over 15 years' financial services experience, Paul's previous positions include HR generalist with WestLB and financial recruitment consultant with Joslin Rowe Associates.
Paul's role is to lead the development and implementation of Groupama's various people strategies as it continues its drive to be a great place to work.
Paul holds an honours degree in Management Sciences from the London School of Economics.
Jem Eskenazi
Chief Information Officer
Jem joined Groupama Insurances in 2007 from Ariadne Capital where he was Chief Information Officer (CIO) providing IT consultancy and advice and support to the business.
Previous to this he was CIO at iTouch plc and has held senior positions at a number of large corporations.
Jem has close to 20 years global experience, with his career to date focusing on initiatives to drive information system changes that link IT to business strategy and competitiveness.
Responsible for driving the ongoing development and maintenance of the information technology structure for Groupama, Jem supports the delivery of dynamic business plans.
Jem has a Masters degree in electrical engineering and industrial automation.
Malcolm Smith
Commercial Lines Director
Malcolm Smith was appointed as Commercial Lines Director in March 2009, moving up from the position of Commercial Underwriting Manager following 18 years with Groupama. He is responsible for all aspects of our commercial business including property, liability and motor classes. He is also responsible for the commercial claims operations.
Starting his career with Sun Alliance Group, Malcolm spent some 16 years in various underwriting and sales roles, around the UK and overseas. He joined Groupama in 1991 firstly as Property Underwriting Manager, then becoming Commercial Underwriting Manager. Malcolm is ACII qualified.
Kevin Kiernan
Personal Lines Director
Kevin Kiernan joined Groupama in October 2008 as Motor Underwriting Director and became Personal Lines Director in 2009. He holds responsibility for all aspects of our personal lines business including Home, Private Motor and Personal Accident and Travel as well as for personal claims operations.
Kevin's previous role was with AXA Insurance, where he was Head of Business Finance. Kevin has substantial experience of the UK insurance market in broking and business development as well as having held various senior management positions at Guardian and AXA.
Allison Andrews
Head of Commercial Distribution
Allison heads Groupama Insurances' dedicated frontline commercial sales force and was appointed Head of Commercial Distribution in June 2009. She has responsibility for a team of seven account managers, who support the business development and servicing needs of Groupama's intermediaries trading in the SME and Fleet sectors. Allison is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Allison has worked in the insurance industry for 23 years. She joined Groupama in 1999 from Guardian Royal Exchange where, over 13 years, she operated in several areas of the business including Underwriting, Claims, Marketing, Operations and Account Management.
Lynn Harris
Head of Customer Proposition
Lynn began her career with Norwich Union where she held a number of roles within personal lines including Business Development Manager. In 1996, she joined Marsh as a Key Account Manager and specialised in affinity business.
Joining Lumley Letsure, a specialist letting insurance underwriting agency in 2001, Lynn became Value Creation Manager, looking after the company’s product development, internet and marketing functions.
In May 2005, Lynn joined Groupama Insurances as Proposition Development Manager. She was promoted to Head of Customer Proposition in 2006 and is now responsible for product development and the agency team.
Lynn is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
