UK – AXA Investment Managers has named investment chief Paul Griffiths as chief executive of its UK operations.

“Paul takes on this new role in addition to his current responsibilities as the UK chief investment officer,” AXA said. “He will continue to be based in London and report to global chief Nicolas Moreau. Paul will also join the global AXA IM executive committee.”

Moreau said: “Having worked closely with Paul throughout 2004, I was impressed by his dynamism and leadership skills. During his first year at AXA IM in the UK, he made significant inroads into strengthening our UK investment teams through the refinement of our investment processes and the appointment of several senior investment professionals.

“Paul has also played a significant part in business development, with AXA IM in UK winning over £1bn of new institutional monies in 2004. Paul has excellent client relationship and people management skills, both of which fit very well with AXA IM’s culture.”

Griffiths took over the CIO role in January 2004 from Investec Asset Management.

Earlier this month IPE reported that AXA had appointed Vincent Levita to the new position of director of strategy and innovation.

Last month AXA completed the previously announced 300 billion-euro outsourcing of its investment operations, with an initial 217 staff transferring to State Street.