AXA XL has promoted Simon Hearn to chief underwriting officer from London Market Wholesale, effective 1 August 2019.

In his new role, Hearn will be responsible for leading AXA XL’s Property & Casualty London wholesale business and developing core underwriting strategies and product profitability to aid the business unit achieve its financial and long-term objectives.

Hearn will continue in his role as head of Life and wholesale accident & health until 1 January 2020, to ensure the smooth handover and transition of his current responsibilities. Hearn is also the active underwriter for Syndicate 3002.

He brings more than 3 decades of (re)insurance industry experience, having begun his career as a life and health underwriter at Black Horse Financial Services in 1989. He undertook similar roles at AIG Life and Swiss RE, before becoming a client manager for client markets at the latter in 2006. Hearn joined AXA XL in 2002, where he has held several senior positions, most recently as head of life and wholesale accident & health/active underwriter for Syndicate 3002.

Neil Robertson, CEO of Global Specialty, said: “During his time at XL Catlin and now AXA XL, Simon has built a strong reputation as a business leader with extensive experience in the Lloyd’s Wholesale market. Simon has, through his tenure as Active Underwriter of Syndicate 3002, first-hand experience of the nuances and opportunities that the Lloyd’s market affords AXA XL,”

Adding: “I’m therefore delighted that Simon has accepted the opportunity to lead our London-based Wholesale Property and Casualty business, which is a considerable and important part of our operations at Lloyd’s. Simon will assume the leadership of a talented group of experienced underwriters who are very much leaders in their marketplace and I’m certain that this combination positions us well for success.”