AXA Mansard’s Chief Financial Officer, Ngozi Ola-Israel, has been crowned CFO of the Year at the prestigious Women Tabloid Awards, which celebrate women breaking barriers and reshaping industries worldwide.
Rashidat Adebisi, Chief Client Officer at AXA Mansard, said the win is a testament to Ngozi’s “remarkable role” in steering the company’s growth despite a challenging business climate.
“Under her leadership, we’ve achieved sustained growth, strengthened our market position, and raised the bar on corporate governance. She also led the smooth rollout of IFRS 17, cementing our commitment to transparency and global best practice,” Adebisi noted.
A grateful Ola-Israel described the honour as proof of AXA’s dedication to building an inclusive workplace where people are “empowered to care and dare.”
“This award isn’t just mine – it’s for the incredible people I work with,” she said. “It fuels my drive to keep mentoring, championing women in finance, and delivering impactful leadership.”
Ola-Israel’s AXA Mansard journey began over a decade ago as Group Head of Financial Control. She became CFO in 2017 and has since overseen record-breaking performance – smashing 2024 revenue targets by 32% and boosting share price by almost 50%.
She also served as Chief Data Officer (2019–2024), driving data-led transformation, and holds board positions at AXA Mansard Investments and APD. Her initiatives include tools that improved claims integrity, boosted operational efficiency, and enhanced customer experience.
Outside the boardroom, she mentors young women, co-founded AXA’s Finance Community, and works closely with WIMBIZ to prepare more women for board roles. She also champions the company’s ESG strategy, weaving sustainability into its operations.
Recognised among Africa’s Top 50 CFOs in 2024 and a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Ola-Israel is a sought-after voice in finance, having spoken at major global events including the International Conference for Women in Insurance.
