AXA XL, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, has announced the new client-facing leadership team for its UK & Lloyd’s region.
Towards the end of April, AXA XL revealed plans for a new operating model that would see the establishment of a single global insurance underwriting function and three geographical Business Units.
This included the creation of its UK & Lloyd’s market unit, of which Sean McGovern was recently appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Now, AXA XL has announced the leadership team for this division, which includes the addition of Elie Hanna as Chief Distribution Officer, UK & Lloyd’s. In this role, Hanna will be tasked with developing and leading the execution of the company’s “go to” market, trading and external marketing & communication strategies.
Hanna brings extensive insurance industry experience to the role, having spent more than ten years with AIG in underwriting, country management and senior distribution roles in London and across the Middle East. He joined AXA in 2016 as Global Head of Mid-Market and Broker Engagement. Most recently, he served as the Global Head of Broker Management at AXA XL.
AXA XL has also announced the appointment of Luis Prato as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) of its UK & Lloyd’s market arm. In this role, Prato will be tasked with defining the underwriting strategy and risk appetite for the business unit. Prato joined AXA XL (then Catlin) in 2008 as Head of Downstream Energy, UK & Ireland. In 2016, he was promoted to Head of UK Energy and Regional Product Leader for UK & Ireland, before being appointed CUO for the UK region and legal entities in September 2019.
At the same time, AXA XL has named Martin Turner as Chief Claims Officer, UK & Lloyd’s. In this role, Turner takes responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the claims handling team. He joined AXA XL (formerly Brockbank Syndicate Management) in 1988, where he has stayed through numerous mergers and acquisitions. Most recently, he served as Head of UK and Global Specialty Claims.
McGovern commented: “I am pleased to announce the new Leadership Team for the UK & Lloyd’s region. This is the latest step in our journey to optimise our structure by striking the right balance between local and global, in order to ensure we serve our clients and brokers to the best of our ability.
“This Leadership Team is filled with highly experienced individuals who I’m confident will help to ensure we are the insurance partner of choice in this important region.”
