AXA XL has named Elie Hanna, chief distribution officer, Luis Prato, chief underwriting officer, and Martin Turner, chief claims officer, as members of the new leadership team for its UK and Lloyd’s region.
The appointments are part of the proposed changes to the operating model of AXA XL’s insurance business following a strategic review.
AXA XL also explained that they are in-line with the division’s payer to partner strategy and plans to create a simplified structure and bring decision-making closer to the regional markets.
Earlier this year, in April, AXA XL announced the leadership team and proposed changes to the operating model of its insurance business following a strategic review.
As part of the new appointments, Hanna will develop and lead the execution of AXA XL’s market, trading and external marketing and communication strategies.
These will be aligned to the regional portfolio underwriting and legal entity platform strategies, to support AXA XL’s underwriters in delivering profitable growth and enhancing the division’s identity and reputation.
Hanna has extensive experience in the industry, spending more than a decade at AIG in underwriting, country management and senior distribution roles in London and across the Middle East.
Prato will define the underwriting strategy and risk appetite for the UK and Lloyd’s Market in conjunction with the global chief underwriting officer, while leading the UK and Lloyd’s business unit to deliver the underwriting profitability target for the region.
He has held senior positions at Allied World Insurance and AEGIS London, before joining AXA XL (then Catlin) in 2008 as head of Downstream Energy, UK and Ireland. He was promoted to head of UK energy and regional product leader for the UK and Ireland in 2016, before being made CUO for the UK region and legal entities in September 2019.
Turner will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the claims handling teams, including overseeing technical expertise and local market knowledge in the region.
Turner has been in the London insurance market for more than 30 years. He began his career in 1986 with Reinsurance Broker Alwen Hough & Johnson, before joining AXA XL (formerly Brockbank Syndicate Management) in 1988, where he has remained through various mergers and acquisitions. He has held a series of senior positions during that time, most recently, he was head of UK and global specialty claims.
Commenting on the new appointments, Sean McGovern, CEO UK and Lloyd’s market, said: “I am pleased to announce the new leadership team for the UK and 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,” he added.