Chubb Tempest Re selects James Wixtead executive chairman and Michael O'Donnell president

Chubb has appointed James Wixtead as executive chairman of Chubb Tempest Re and Michael O'Donnell (pictured) as president of the global reinsurance business, effective August 1, with O'Donnell assuming responsibility for day-to-day executive management while Wixtead provides strategic oversight.

As executive chairman, Wixtead will provide governance oversight and strategic advice for Chubb’s global reinsurance business. O’Donnell will assume responsibility for the day-to-day executive management of Chubb Tempest Re, overseeing both its underwriting and financial performance.

O’Donnell currently serves as division president of Chubb Tempest Re USA, a role he has held since 2014, overseeing the company’s domestic property and casualty assumed reinsurance business. He joined Chubb Tempest Re in 2006 as a casualty treaty underwriter after beginning his career at General Reinsurance Corp as a casualty facultative underwriter.

Wixtead brings nearly 40 years of insurance industry experience to his new role. Before ACE acquired Chubb in 2016, he was president of ACE Tempest Re Group and previously led ACE Tempest Re USA’s traditional and non-traditional property and casualty reinsurance business in North America.

Evan G Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Chubb, said: “For over three decades in this industry, Jim has earned the confidence of clients and brokers around the world and instilled the underwriting discipline that defines how we operate. I want to thank him for his years of contribution.”

Greenberg added: "Michael is an exceptional underwriter who has led our U.S. reinsurance operation with distinction for more than a decade. His command of this business and its complexities give me full confidence in his ability to grow our global reinsurance franchise."

Did you get value from this story? Sign up to our free newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.