AXA Equitable Life Insurance has announced that Chris Winans will join the company in a newly created position heading external affairs. Mr Winans will join the company on July 29, 2008, and become the senior vice president of external affairs, subject to board approval in September 2008.

As chief spokesman for AXA Equitable, Mr Winans will be responsible for developing and executing programs to raise public awareness of AXA Equitable’s position as a leader in the life and retirement services industry.

In addition to managing the external affairs function, Mr Winans will advise AXA Equitable’s CEO on matters regarding the company’s reputation and activities related to public policies that affect the entire industry.

Prior to joining AXA Equitable, Mr Winans was the vice president of media relations, at American International Group.

Christopher Condron, chairman and CEO of AXA Equitable, said: Chris’s leadership of AXA Equitable’s newly formed external affairs team will further position the company as a leading insurance provider.