Global specialty underwriter and provider of re/insurance solutions, AXIS Capital has announced the appointment of W. Marston (Marty) Becker as non-executive Chair of its Board of Directors.
Becker will take over the position in May 2024, timed to the company’s Annual General Meeting, succeeding Henry B. Smith, who has served as Chair since May of 2020 and has decided to transition from his role, but will continue to maintain a seat on the Board.
Smith commented: “There is no better individual to succeed me as Chair of the AXIS Board of Directors than Marty Becker. Over the past four years, the company has benefited enormously from Marty’s wisdom, and deep understanding of the specialty property and casualty space.
“Marty brings first-hand experience leading carriers to transform their businesses while driving shareholder value creation. His guidance as Chair will be integral as AXIS takes further steps forward in realising its ambition to achieve specialty leadership.”
Becker, who joined the AXIS Board of Directors in June of 2020, has led a distinguished career in the re/insurance industry spanning four decades.
He currently is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of QBE Insurance Group. Having been appointed to the QBE Board in 2013, became Chair in 2014, and served until March of 2020.
Prior to this, he served as Chairman and CEO at Alterra Capital Limited and its predecessors from 2006 to 2013.
Through his career, Becker has held numerous Chair and CEO roles for publicly traded and private insurance, reinsurance, and insurance brokerage organisations in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
“On behalf of the entire Board, thank you to Henry Smith for his tremendous leadership these past four years as our Chair, which marked a period of significant positive transformation for AXIS,” said Becker.
Adding: “It is a privilege to succeed Henry as Chair, and to continue to serve with him, as we further support the significant progress that AXIS has made in elevating all aspects of its business. Under CEO Vince Tizzio, the Company is headed on a strong path and I look forward to working closely with Vince and my fellow Directors, as well as the AXIS team to continue to build on the exciting momentum that has been achieved.”
Commenting on Becker’s appointment, Vincent C. Tizzio, President and CEO of AXIS Capital, said: “Our team at AXIS is deeply appreciative of Henry for his leadership as Chair and continued service on our Board. Moreover, I have tremendous gratitude for Henry’s support and counsel as I transitioned into the CEO role.
“I look forward to working closely with Marty in his new capacity, and our leadership team will profit significantly from his counsel and expansive knowledge of our industry.”
