AXA UK & Ireland appoints Caroline Riddy as General Counsel

2 April 2026

Posted in People

  • AXA UK & Ireland has appointed Caroline Riddy as General Counsel
  • Caroline, who replaces Emily Coupland, takes up the role on 7 April
  • Caroline previously worked for the insurer for 12 years in company secretary and counsel roles 

AXA UK & Ireland has appointed Caroline Riddy as General Counsel, replacing Emily Coupland who left in December after 24 years working across AXA’s various UK entities.

Caroline joins AXA UK & Ireland on 7 April and brings over 20 years of legal and company secretariat experience in financial services. She most recently worked at Lloyds Banking Group as Company Secretary for the insurance, pensions & investments division, overseeing governance for more than 70 legal entities.

Caroline is returning to AXA UK & Ireland, having previously spent 12 years in company secretary and counsel roles with the insurer between 2012 and 2024. 

I am very pleased to welcome Caroline back to AXA UK & Ireland. With her deep understanding of our business and strategic priorities and her ability to lead strong teams and build great relationships across the business, I’m confident she will hit the ground running and quickly make a positive impact.

I would also like to thank Emily for 24 incredible years at AXA and wish her all the best for the future.

Henri de la Serve, Chief Financial Officer at AXA UK & Ireland

I’m thrilled to be rejoining AXA UK & Ireland, a business I care about deeply. The legal and secretariat function is full of talented individuals and I’m very much looking forward to working with them, and reconnecting with colleagues across the organisation to deliver for our customers.

Caroline Riddy