Axa XL has appointed Paul Greensmith as UK CEO for Catlin Underwriting Agencies and XL Catlin Insurance Company UK.

He succeeds Paul Jardine who, as previously announced, will be leaving XL Catlin later this year following the completion of Axa’s $15.3bn acquisition of XL Group earlier this month.

In his new role, Greensmith will be responsible for developing and delivering the strategy for both Catlin Underwriting Agencies and XL Catlin Insurance Company UK while maintaining their effective operations, in particular ensuring that regulatory responsibilities are met.

In addition, he will hold the position of regional leader for the UK in project mode, where he will be charged with helping define the activities of Axa XL in the UK as the division takes shape.

Greensmith joined Catlin in 2014 as co-chief underwriting officer (CUO) for Catlin’s London underwriting nub.  Following XL’s acquisition of Catlin, he was appointed to the role of UK country leader and director of London market wholesale in January 2017.

He began his career at RSA as a property underwriter on multinational programmes business. In 2001, he moved to become the group strategy manager.

In 2003, Greensmith joined Lloyd’s as manager of its strategy and planning department.

He then re-joined RSA in 2005 as the strategy and marketing director for its UK commercial division, before stepping up to manage the multinational and speciality lines division three years later.

Kelly Lyles, chief executive, client and country management at Axa XL commented: “Paul has a proven track record and the ability to balance both the long-term strategic view with the day-to-day requirements needed to fulfil the role of CEO for these entities.”