Axis has appointed Robert Quane as head of underwriting and portfolio optimisation.

In the newly created role, Quane will be responsible for leading the company’s group underwriting function, while working in partnership with Axis’ business segments at the same time.

As part of his role, Quane will establish and maintain the firm’s group-wide underwriting framework, guidelines and policies, as well as having oversight of its portfolio optimisation process.

He will also manage Axis’ group-wide exposure-management and underwriting risk frameworks and chair its peril/product boards.

Quane will be based in the firms New York office. He will report to Eric Gesick, group chief underwriting officer at Axis.

Quane joins Axis from AIG, where he spent 22 years, most recently serving as head of global commercial property, having previously served as head of global group personal insurance, and chief operating officer for International Personal Lines. Quane commenced his career in the industry with Allstate Insurance.

Commenting on the appointment, Gesick said: “Bob is a proven global insurance leader with extensive underwriting experience spanning a range of business lines across multiple international markets. Working alongside the leadership in our business segments, Bob’s experience and expertise will be key to helping us shape and implement a more rigorous and disciplined approach to underwriting and underwriting risk management.”