AXA Me Anything: I work at AXA and also judge court cases

When Luke isn’t working hard to give our customers the best possible experience, he’s working hard for his local community as a magistrate, hearing cases in court and making decisions on cases.

We spoke to Luke to learn more about his experience as a magistrate, what it involves, and how he’s been supported by his team to balance both roles, making things better for customers and his community.

What do you do at AXA? 

I’m Head of Business Design & Optimisation in AXA Health and I joined in June 2023. 

I work to shape how our health services will operate in the future. I make sure our services are customer-friendly and help the team implement changes that will improve our services in the future.  

What do you do as a Presiding Justice? 

When I’m not in work, I volunteer as a magistrate. Magistrates in the UK deal with 90% of all criminal cases, and also work in family courts. 

The Presiding Justice in a Magistrates' Court leads the proceedings. My responsibilities include: 

• Chairing the court: I oversee the court sessions, ensuring that proceedings run smoothly and in accordance with legal protocols. 

• Decision-making: I participate in discussions with other magistrates to reach decisions on cases, including verdicts and sentencing. 

• Managing proceedings: I am responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom, addressing any disruptions, and ensuring that all parties are treated fairly. 

• Guiding legal process: Along with my Legal Advisor I help to provide guidance on legal matters to the other magistrates and ensure that all legal requirements are met during the hearings. 

• Public engagement: I also engage with the public and media, explaining court processes, and supporting with national recruitment campaigns. 

What inspired you to become a magistrate? 

I was quite young when I became a magistrate, starting to sit in Leeds aged 19. Having seen cases in the local press and hearing friends and family comment, I wanted to be part of the change I wanted to see. I wanted to make a difference and to bring a new line of thinking to the bench, with a new perspective on current issues. 

What’s your favourite part of your role as a Presiding Justice? 

Personal growth is one of the highlights of being a magistrate. You’re exposed to many different situations in a court room and can develop your thinking and decision-making skills by considering all the facts and debating the correct course of action to take. You learn so much from these debates, which assist in your personal life as well (like realising that you’re not always right!). 

The reward as a magistrate for me is the ability to truly make a difference to the matters you’re presiding over, ensuring the best outcome possible for victims and the wider community. 

How are you able to balance your responsibilities at AXA and as a magistrate? 

AXA has a flexible working policy. I work four days per week (condensed) which means I’m free to work as a magistrate on the 1 day a week I’m not in work. 

In addition, AXA allows 5 days’ leave to contribute towards public duties, so if I’m required to work a “working day” in court, my manager is extremely supportive. 

Do you feel supported by AXA in other ways?  

I’m hugely thankful my employers are so supportive of me taking on the role. I’ve never felt like it was a problem, and they actively encourage me to talk about my experience and seem keen to understand more about what being a magistrate means. 

In addition, everyone at AXA gets 21 hours a year to take part in volunteering opportunities – so volunteering and the benefits it can bring to an organisation is taken extremely seriously here, which is fantastic! 

Would you recommend a career at AXA?  

AXA is an organisation that celebrates the uniqueness of its employees and recognises your skills both in and out of work. 

They give you the empowerment to be the best version of yourself, and the autonomy to truly make a difference to our customers and colleagues. 

I’ve been given significantly more opportunities to make a difference in my current role than any other role in my career, and I would recommend AXA as a great place to work to anyone considering joining! 

If you’d like to join a company where you’re supported to be yourself, search our latest jobs to find a role that’s right for you. Or follow us on LinkedIn to find out more about life at AXA.