AXA Direct Korea, the Korean subsidiary of Paris-based global insurance provider AXA Group, has appointed a new chief executive officer. Its current CEO has been promoted as CEO of AXA Global Direct Asia Hub.

Francois Lecomte, regional chief financial officer of AXA Asia in Hong Kong, was appointed as CEO of AXA Direct Korea, officials said Monday.

He will assume office on April 13, after receiving confirmation from the shareholders and board of directors.

In 2013, the French official played a leading role in boosting the group’s entry into the direct car insurance market in China.

He also led AXA’s entry into Korea back in 2007 by heading the acquisition of Kyobo Auto, which later became AXA Direct Korea.

The firm’s current chief Xavier Veyry, who has led it since 2011, will become CEO of AXA Global Direct Asia Hub, based in Seoul. Veyry will also serve as AXA Direct Korea chairman and be on the board of directors, officials said.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heralcorp.com)