Several nsurance firms have announced senior appointments in the last 24hrs.
AXA UK Commercial appoints new chief underwriting officer
AXA UK Commercial has appointed Caroline Dunn (pictured, left) as chief underwriting officer following the announced retirement of David Ovenden, who has held the role since December 2021. Dunn will join AXA UK Commercial on July 1, while Ovenden will remain until summer to support the transition.
Dunn previously served as chief underwriting officer at Zurich UK, leading underwriting strategy with a focus on technical discipline, portfolio performance and growth. She spent seven years at Lloyd’s of London in senior underwriting roles, overseeing underwriting performance across the Lloyd’s market business.
AXA UK Commercial CEO Jon Walker said that Dunn’s technical capability, strategic judgement, people focus and commitment to underwriting excellence would be an asset to the business.
Commenting on her new role, Dunn said she was joining AXA at a pivotal time, noting the company’s underwriting culture and strategic direction, and said she looked forward to working with teams to focus on underwriting excellence and transformation.
Arch Insurance UK strengthens regional underwriting team
Arch Insurance UK has appointed James Heys (pictured, centre) as senior property and casualty underwriter, effective immediately. Based in Colchester, Heys is responsible for new business development across the property and casualty portfolio in East Anglia and reports to David Mann, Colchester branch manager.
Heys brings over 20 years of UK insurance experience, joining Arch from Victor Insurance where he was UK sports product lead, and previously working as a commercial underwriter at MS Amlin.
Mann said Heys’s underwriting experience, technical expertise and service-led approach would support work with brokers to provide solutions for complex client risks.
Tysers adds director to property and casualty division
Tysers has appointed William Lines as director in its property and casualty division. He has more than 15 years of market experience, specialising in placing large, complex risks in international commercial property markets.
Tim Stokes, chairman of property and casualty, said Lines' market knowledge, technical expertise and insurer relationships would strengthen the client offering. Lines added that he looked forward to contributing to the division and the wider group.
QBE expands life science underwriting in the Nordics
QBE has created a new senior life science underwriter role in the Nordics, appointing Henrik Hansen (pictured, right).
Based in Copenhagen, Hansen is responsible for developing QBE's Pharma – Life Science portfolio, covering pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical innovation and veterinary medicine, including liability solutions for clinical trials.
Henrik Larsen, general manager of QBE Nordics, said the role was created to support growth in the life science sector. Hansen, who joined QBE Nordics on Jan. 2, brings over 20 years of insurance experience, having started at AIG and having spent 18 years at Aon Denmark focusing on complex liability placements in life science.
