AXIS Re unveils new roles in drive to strengthen global product leadership

AXIS Re, the reinsurance arm of Bermuda-based  AXIS Capital Holdings, has strengthened its global product leadership in the areas of casualty and accident and health (A&H).

Simon Stirnemann has been promoted to AXIS Re head of EMEA LatAm casualty; Allison Janisch to global head of casualty, reinsurance product lead; and Rich Phillips to global A&H product lead.

Stirnemann has been with AXIS more than 15 years, working in the Singapore and Zurich offices. He has held liability and casualty underwriting roles within AXIS Re and most recently served as a strategic account executive. He will continue to be based in Zurich and now report to Andy Hottinger, president of AXIS Re’s international division.

“Simon is an excellent addition to the EMEA LatAm team, and brings extensive expertise in multinational casualty as well as broader multiline experience from his previous role,” said Hottinger. “He is ideally positioned to lead the EMEA LatAm Casualty team.”

Janisch and Phillips' newly-created positions within the reinsurance products division, led by chief underwriting officer Katie Partington Howarth, are designed to enhance coordination of these lines of business across the reinsurance segment. They will work in close partnership with existing business units.

In her new role, Janisch will be responsible for informing the global underwriting approach for all lines of casualty business, encouraging consistency and coordination across AXIS Re. She has more than 28 years of casualty experience and most recently served as AXIS Re head of EMEA LatAm casualty, a role she started in 2011. Prior to joining AXIS, she was the head of global casualty for Paris Re and AXARe. Janisch will continue to be based in Zurich and now reports to Partington Howarth.

Phillips has been appointed global head of A&H product in addition to his role as head of US reinsurance, AXIS A&H. He will work with Howarth to drive underwriting consistency globally for the A&H reinsurance business. Prior to joining AXIS, Phillips was the president of the North America accident & health reinsurance division of Munich Re and has a combined total of over 34 years of experience in the (re)insurance industry. Phillips will continue to be based in Princeton, New Jersey and report to Jason Busti, president of AXIS Re's North America division.

“These newly-established roles are an enhancement of AXIS Re’s capabilities, further strengthen AXIS Re’s global product leadership in the areas of Casualty and A&H, and speak to the career opportunities available within AXIS Re," said Howarth. "They, along with the recent appointments of Ann Haugh as Head of Global Property and Jon Gray as Head of Specialties, build on AXIS Re’s recent drive to strengthen global product leadership.

“Both Allison and Rich bring the technical acumen, market intelligence, and leadership experience needed to drive a responsive, intelligent and profitable portfolio.”

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