STRETCH 2024 AWARDS

Gavin Young

Expertise Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy
Current position & company Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AXA XL
LinkedIn profile Ken Kittoe
Key contributions
  • Ken developed and implemented AXA UK’s Ethnicity Action Plan, focusing on talent attraction, employer branding, retention, and development. This work earned AXA a Bronze Award in Race Equality Matters’ 2024 Trailblazer Awards.
  • Under his leadership, the Race Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Network membership grew by 450%, driven by successful Black History Month campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
  • He led the implementation of flexible bank holidays for all 8,000 AXA UK employees, allowing colleagues to swap national holidays for days more aligned with their personal or cultural celebrations, such as Eid.
  • He also spearheaded the creation of AXA UK’s LGBT Action Plan, which saw AXA’s ranking in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index soar from #143 in 2022 to #45 in 2024.

Ken Kittoe is the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at AXA XL, where he helps to foster an environment that values collaboration and ensures equal opportunities for all employees. Ken is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive workplaces where individuals, regardless of their background or identity, can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive

With a deep personal connection to DEI, having come from a disadvantaged background himself, Ken is particularly focused on supporting the next generation of talent and inspiring individuals from underrepresented groups to succeed within the insurance industry. His efforts to build a more inclusive culture at AXA have led to significant milestones and recognition both internally and externally.

Ken’s dedication and leadership in driving DEI initiatives have earned him a place on the Insurance Business UK Rising Stars 2023 list and the iCAN (Insurance Cultural Awareness Network) Role Models 2023 list.