AXA Equitable Appoints Four Execs

New York-based AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company announced on Thursday that it has made four new executive appointments designed to support its commitment to customer-centric product design, delivery and service.

"These roles have been created to help support our vision to be the industry leader in providing financial advice and solutions to clients," AXA Equitable chairman and CEO Christopher M. Condron said in a press release. "Our strategic plan focuses on three key areas: expanding and diversifying our product portfolio to serve the needs of existing and new markets, building distribution to effectively deliver a broader range of products to a wider array of clients, and optimizing the management of our substantial and valuable in-force business."

As part of the announcement, Andrew McMahon was named as president of the carrier's financial protection and wealth management business; James Shepherdson was named president of its retirement savings business; and Richard V. Silver was named chief administrative officer and chief legal officer. In addition, it was announced that AXA Equitable chief financial officer Richard Dziadzio -- along with McMahon, Shepherdson and Silver -- were elected as senior executive vice presidents of the company. All four were previously executive vice presidents.

Silver will oversee information technology is his new role, as well as central marketing, innovation and communications, external affairs and the strategic initiatives group. He will continue to be responsible for the law department and the funds management group.

In his new role, McMahon will have overall responsibility for life insurance manufacturing, marketing, distribution, and in-force management and will continue to lead AXA Advisors, the carrier's agent distribution system.

Shepherdson, meanwhile, will have overall responsibility for annuity product manufacturing, third-party distribution, marketing, and in-force management in his new position. He will also lead product manufacturing for employer-sponsored markets and will continue to lead AXA Distributors and AXA Global Distributors.