Chicago, Illinois, United States, September 2025 – Ellen Hughes has been appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for the AXA Health Division, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished HR leadership journey. In her new role, she will spearhead the people and culture agenda to align with AXA Health’s mission of supporting health, wellbeing, and workplace performance for individuals and organizations.
Prior to this appointment, Ellen Hughes spent over 10 years at AXA Partners, where she held a series of progressive leadership roles. Most recently, she served as HR & Communications Director for North America, UK & Ireland, and Italy, North, Central & East Europe, partnering closely with two Regional CEOs and their Executive Committees. She led a team of approximately 75 HR professionals supporting 3,000 employees across 15 countries, playing a critical role in shaping strong Country Executive teams and driving regional people strategies for sustainable business growth.
Earlier within AXA Partners, she held key roles such as HR & Communications Director, USA and Regional HRD North America, UK & Ireland, and HR Director – Europe, where she was responsible for delivering comprehensive HR services across multiple countries. She also played a pivotal role as Head of HR Transformation & Integration, where she led the shift from a decentralized HR model to a global HR function and successfully managed the HR integration of Genworth Lifestyle Protection into AXA.
Before joining AXA Partners, Ellen worked as Global HR Business Partner at AXA Global P&C, based in Paris, where she collaborated with global business heads across 40 countries to drive strategic capability development, talent mobility, and digital transformation initiatives. She also held several influential roles at AXA UK, including Senior HR Business Partner, Employee Relations Manager, and HR Business Partner for AXA Life, where she supported leadership during restructuring and cultural change.
Across her journey with the AXA Group, Ellen Hughes has consistently demonstrated deep expertise in Global HR Management, Organizational Design, Employee Engagement, and Transformation Leadership, making her a valuable addition to the AXA Health leadership team.
About AXA Health
AXA Health is committed to helping individuals and businesses unlock their best selves through a comprehensive approach to wellbeing. Rooted in a legacy established by healthcare professionals, AXA Health combines medical expertise, wellbeing support, and proactive health solutions. As part of the global AXA Group, it offers tailored healthcare services that prioritize prevention, fast access to treatment, and holistic employee wellbeing—ensuring happier, healthier workplaces.
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