In 1993, AXA launched Operation Shareplan for the first time. For the past 30 years, the operation has taken place every year without interruption. Today, almost 42,000 employees are Group shareholders, i.e. around 30% of the workforce, in over 40 countries.
In 29 editions, Shareplan has gone from strength to strength. We are proud to be able to say that this program is a real success, and one that is at the heart of our corporate values and culture.
In addition to offering the opportunity to become shareholders on preferential terms, this program enables employees to be fully involved in the Group's strategic decisions, development, and results. Indeed, it is essential for AXA to offer those who so wish the opportunity to become more involved in the company's success, and to do so with complete transparency.
In 2022, nearly 19% of eligible employees, i.e. around 21,000 people, subscribed to Shareplan for a total of 297 million euros through two offers. I am delighted to announce that two options will again be available for this 2023 edition: the classic offer and the "Guarantee Plus" offer. I invite you to find out more about the offers available within your entity.
For this 30th edition, 40 countries decided to take part in the operation, confirming its importance and reputation within the Group and all its entities.
Over the coming months, as you know, management is confident of achieving the objectives of the Driving Progress 2023 strategic plan. A new strategic plan will be presented to all employees in early 2024. AXA is a solid, high-performance, committed company, well positioned to meet the challenges of our core businesses, both as an insurer and as an investor, in the years to come.
Finally, in this new brochure, you will find all the information you need to make an informed investment decision. Your Human Resources correspondents are also available to answer any questions you may have. Choosing to invest your savings in Shareplan is, of course, an individual decision, and I encourage each one of you to consider it carefully according to your personal objectives.
Thomas Buberl, AXA Group CEO