No reason was given for Leeson’s departure. In a statement this afternoon, Axa confirmed that Leeson “will be leaving the business to seek new opportunities outside of the company”, and that he is being succeeded by Bristol-based Frank Parsons, who has been given the title of head of distribution for AXA Wealth International.
Parsons began his career with Axa in 2000, as a regional sales manager for Winterthur Life, which later became a part of Axa. Most recently he had been head of Axa Wealth’s Wealth Advisor division.
Leeson declined to comment on his reasons for leaving Axa, saying only that he was considering “a number of options” and that he would announce his plans “in due course”.
Leeson joined Axa Wealth in September 2010 from Prudential International, where he had been for seven years, most recently as head of UK and offshore business development.