AXA XL promotes two execs to lead its global and US political risk, credit and bond teams

AXA XL Insurance has named two senior executives to lead its political risk, credit and bond (PRCB) teams both globally and in the Americas.

AXA XL named Rafael Docavo-Malvezzi as global chief underwriting officer (CUO) for PRCB, while Lian Phua was appointed head of PRCB for the Americas.

Docavo-Malvezzi is based in New York and reports to Stephen Ashwell, global CUO for specialty risks. He drives global governance, underwriting guidelines and pricing standards across all PRCB products, and leads product development, innovation and client and broker engagement efforts across all geographies and markets.

He has been at AXA XL for a decade, and helped build and lead the global PRCB team. He was previously head of risk for AXA XL's PRCB business, and was formerly a leader in QBE’s risk practice, and director of risk management at a boutique credit insurer.

Phua is also based in New York and leads the PRCB underwriting teams in New York, Washington DC, Toronto and Bermuda. She reports to both Alex Blanco, CUO for specialty, Americas, and to Docavo-Malvezzi.

She has been with  AXA XL since 2013 when she joined as an underwriter for political risk and trade credit, working in Singapore and the US. She was most recently underwriting manager for global PRCB.

Ashwell said: "With more than 20 years working in the financial and insurance sectors, Rafael brings in-depth knowledge and firsthand experience across all areas of the business. From underwriting to risk analysis and client management, he is a true expert in the field and will be a strategic member of the global CUO specialty leadership team."

Blanco added: "It is wonderful to see talent promoted from within our ranks. Lian is an experienced underwriter who has also mastered client development and team management in different markets and countries. As part of the Americas specialty leadership team, she will help us drive innovation to ensure AXA XL continues to be a partner of choice for a wide range of clients and brokers."

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