AXA opens new office in Business Bay, reinforces expansion plans in Mideast

The iconic office, located at Level 39 & 40, Churchill Executive Tower in Business Bay, is AXA Gulf's 5th branch in the UAE. The office will have an employee-strength of 150 where the entire range of AXA's commercial lines will be served there except for the personal lines that will be still handled at the Wafi branch.

The office was inaugurated this morning by H.E. Alain Azouaou, the Ambassador of France to the UAE, and Mr Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman of the Kanoo Group, dignitaries and officials from AXA Insurance Gulf.

The Business Bay office is aimed at offering a strategic and accessible location to boost AXA customer convenience and is part of its mandate to extend world-class service backed by unique insurance solutions.

Jérôme Droesch, CEO of AXA Insurance Gulf, said: "At AXA Insurance Gulf, we redefine standards. We do things for the better to make our services more available, our approach more attentive and the delivery more reliable. Our new offices at the bustling Business Bay development are part of our commitment to be more convenience to our customers and offer them the best experience. This office will play a pivotal role in our future plans, where we are looking at a whopping US$ 60 million investment over the next three years."

He added: "Our success is mainly attributed to our efforts to delight our customers by surpassing expectations. We value our customers and their needs, and ensure that they receive timely advice, assistance and care that they deserve - and we are confident that the new office, with its prime location and broad range of commercial portfolio across sectors, will effectively cater to all insurance needs, be it individual, commercial or SMEs."

The opening of the Business Bay office comes amidst an amazing growth period for AXA Insurance Gulf, which recorded a 25% growth in premium in the first six months of 2012. The company is on an aggressive expansion plan with total employee strength likely to touch 800 across the GCC by the end of 2012. A total of 132 new employees will be recruited this year, including 54 GCC nationals.

The opening of the new office also coincided with AXA Insurance Gulf completing two decades of excellence in Dubai and over 60 years in the GCC.

"We have grown from strength to strength every year, emerging stronger and more determined. In few years, AXA Gulf has grown from a small team of 150 employees to over 800 employees across the GCC, servicing in excess of 500,000 clients" said Mr Droesch.

As one of the leading names in the UAE and regional insurance sector, AXA Insurance Gulf products are tailored across all sections - corporates, SMEs, individuals and families. The company also announced its plans to have 22 branches by the end of 2012, to further build on its market leadership across the Middle East.