Leon Thompson
About Leon Thompson
Leon Thompson serves as the Global Head of Engineering at AXA XL, where he manages a team of 50 staff and oversees significant IT projects. He has extensive experience in engineering and security, having held various managerial roles at BNP Paribas and XL Catlin, and is also a British Cycling Coach focused on youth development.
Work at AXA XL
Currently, Leon Thompson serves as the Global Head of Engineering at AXA XL, a division of AXA, where he has been employed since 2018. In this role, he manages a team of 50 staff and oversees engineering initiatives. His responsibilities include managing significant budgets for large IT projects and staff augmentation, as well as ensuring the effective operation of engineering functions across the organization.
Education and Expertise
Leon Thompson studied Information Technology and Security at Anglia Ruskin University, where he achieved a Master's degree with distinction. His academic background supports his expertise in managing multiple service areas, including Security, Networks, Identity, and Infrastructure applications. He has also been accepted for a PhD and has presented to Master's students, indicating his strong academic involvement.
Background in Engineering and IT
Leon Thompson has extensive experience in engineering and IT, having worked at BNP Paribas in various roles, including Global Engineering Manager and Senior Security Architect. His tenure at BNP Paribas spanned from 2002 to 2015, during which he contributed to Workspace Architecture and Evolution. He also worked at XL Catlin in multiple managerial positions, including Infrastructure Security and Foundation Services.
Coaching and Youth Development
In addition to his engineering career, Leon Thompson serves as a British Cycling Coach. He focuses on developing youth riders and has successfully coached National and Regional champions both domestically and internationally. His involvement in coaching reflects his commitment to youth development and sports.
Achievements in IT Management
Leon Thompson has demonstrated thought leadership in enterprise infrastructure systems, leading solutions from concept to inception. He has managed teams in major global cities, including London, Paris, and New York, overseeing up to 225,000 internal users across over 81 countries. His strong background in ITIL and recognized operating models has driven improvements in Change Management, Incident and Problem Management, and Governance.