Argo CUO resigns; Aviva CUO hired

Argo Group has appointed Axel Schmidt, formerly of Aviva, to the role of group chief underwriting officer (CUO) following Andrew Carrier’s resignation. Carrier will leave Argo this summer.

Schmidt has more than 25 years of experience in the global insurance and reinsurance market. He comes to Argo from Aviva where he served as CUO for the company’s UK/Ireland business across personal, commercial and corporate/specialty lines. He was also responsible for Aviva’s group-wide underwriting, pricing, products and claims strategy.

Prior to joining Aviva, he spent 20 years at Zurich where he held a number of senior underwriting and management positions including deputy chief executive officer/CUO of Zurich’s corporate business in Europe/UK and underwriting director for Zurich’s global corporate business.

“We’re very pleased to have recruited Axel to this important role,” said Argo Group president and chief executive officer, Mark Watson.

“He brings a strong reputation, tremendous experience in global underwriting strategy and a track record of improving profitability. We’re fortunate to have him join our executive team.”

“We thank Andrew for his success in building an expert, disciplined underwriting culture throughout Argo. In addition to developing our Group CUO role, Andrew created and led our reinsurance operation, Argo Re, before handing the reins over to Matthew Wilken last year. He’s leaving Argo with an underwriting portfolio that is well balanced and in good shape.”