Former AXA Asia Pacific chief executive Andrew Penn has been appointed chief financial officer at Telstra.

Mr Penn replaces outgoing Telstra CFO John Stanhope, who leaves the telco at the end of December after over four decades with the company.

Mr Penn, who was born in the United Kingdom, held finance, strategy and executive roles in 20 years at AXA Asia Pacific, and was chief executive for the last five years.

Prior to his time at AXA he worked in London with P&O Shipping.

He will join Telstra from March 1.

Deputy CFO Mark Hall will serve as acting CFO during January and February.