AXIS shuffles top leadership to unlock specialty insurance potential

Global re/insurer  AXIS Capital Holdings has shuffled the leadership within its specialty insurance business in an effort to unlock its full underwriting potential and provide profitable returns to shareholders and better value to clients.

Mark Gregory (pictured left) has been appointed head of global markets, and Michael McKenna (pictured right) as head of North America. The newly created leadership positions will report directly to Vince Tizzio, president and CEO of AXIS.

In his new role, Gregory – who previously served as CEO, international division – will oversee underwriting and business growth strategies for the company’s international retail business lines (EMEA/APAC/LatAm), as well as its global practices including cyber and A&H insurance.

McKenna will have oversight of underwriting and business growth strategies for the company’s North America wholesale and retail businesses. Global distribution (insurance) and digital will also report to him.

Prior to joining AXIS, McKenna held CUO roles with Falvey Insurance Group, The Hartford (global specialty division), and Navigators (US insurance segment), and served as SVP of the specialty reinsurance division at Aon Benfield.

“Mark and Mike are exceptional leaders who embody our focus on underwriting and operational excellence. Their leadership will be essential as we help AXIS realize its full potential as a specialty underwriter that consistently delivers profitable results to our shareholders, and value to our customers. To achieve this, we’re tapping into our heritage as a high performing underwriting company known for the knowledge and subject-matter expertise of our people, as well as the high level of service that we provide to our customers,” said Tizzio.

“Mark is a proven leader with an expansive understanding of the global specialty and retail markets and a demonstrated record of success that includes growing our International Division to be among the top performers in the London and Lloyd’s marketplace,” he added.

“Mike is an excellent leader with deep underwriting acumen, who has successfully guided specialty underwriting functions at high caliber organisations while creating, implementing, and executing strategies that have delivered sustainable profitable growth businesses.”

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