AXA XL overhauls global reinsurance management team
Paul Simons, head of property in AXA XL’s global markets business, has been named the new head of Bermuda reinsurance, effective January 1.
The move is part of a broader reorganisation of its management team that is part of its simplified reinsurance organisational structure, announced in September, that is intended to enhance the focus on its payer to partner strategy.
Rob Littlemore, the CEO of the London reinsurance business, becomes CEO of global markets, which comprises AXA XL Reinsurance's Bermuda and London platforms. Meanwhile Christopher Buse, AXA XL’s head of casualty reinsurance in North America, will become chief underwriting officer of AXA XL Reinsurance North America.
Buse has more than 30 years of experience in the North America market. He takes on responsibility for managing the day-to-day underwriting of the domestic markets business, alongside Bertrand Romagne, chief underwriting officer of AXA XL Reinsurance International.
Both Buse and Romagne report to John Welch, the CEO of AXA XL Reinsurance's North America region, who also becomes CEO of its domestic markets business. The domestic markets business focuses on business placed locally by reinsurance brokers and AXA XL Reinsurance clients.
Welch has held progressively senior roles since joining the company in 1999 after the NAC Re merger, including head of casualty and surety underwriting, chief actuary and president and CEO of XL Reinsurance America.
Marcus Gonzales, head of international casualty, becomes head of London reinsurance. Both he, Simons and Buse report to Littlemore. All three of them have been appointed to AXA XL's reinsurance leadership team, which is led by Charles Cooper, CEO of the reinsurance business, and also includes Welch, Littlemore and Romagne.
Cooper said the changes underscore AXA XL’s commitment to its client-centric approach and structure. The group is now focused on its strategic pillars of underwriting and analytics, client focus, alternative capital and operational excellence in 2020 and beyond, he added.
