AXIS Capital has made significant moves to strengthen its leadership team, announcing a promotion and new hires.
Edward Ashby has been elevated to the role of chief commercial officer, a position created to further AXIS’ strategic objectives. Alongside his ongoing duties as global head of distribution for insurance, Ashby will now also focus on advancing business development strategies, improving the company’s visibility in the market, and supporting CEO-led initiatives.
Vince Tizzio, president and CEO of AXIS, praised Ashby’s impact on the firm, saying: “Under Ed’s direction we have significantly transformed and enhanced our global distribution strategy while deepening and expanding our customer relationships, which has been a critical enabler to record production within our insurance business and the growth of our global platform.” He further highlighted Ashby’s pivotal role in the group’s future growth and customer value enhancement.
Ashby’s journey with AXIS began in 2014, initially leading US distribution for the insurance segment before taking on a global remit the following year. His career also includes a nine-year tenure at QBE, where he eventually led global distribution for North America, and earlier roles that saw him rise from underwriter to head of credit & surety.
In addition to the internal move, AXIS announced the appointment of Stephen Lord as global chief information officer and Robert Barriero as global head of strategic sourcing and corporate real estate. These hires are part of AXIS’ ongoing efforts to enhance its operational and market strategies through the “How We Work” programme introduced by Tizzio last year.
Lord, returning to AXIS from The Hartford, brings extensive experience in leading technology initiatives that support business growth and competitive advantage. His appointment is seen as a significant return to the company where he previously held multiple leadership roles.
“Stephen is an excellent leader who brings a proven ability to architect and manage transformative, business-enabling technology initiatives to drive competitive advantage and return on investment,” Tizzio remarked, commending Lord’s deep understanding of the specialty insurance sector and of the business.
Barriero’s role as global head of strategic sourcing and corporate real estate marks another pivotal addition to the AXIS team. Coming from a background of property management leadership at Morgan Stanley and other reputable organisations, Barriero’s expertise is expected to drive strategic, transformative, and sustainable solutions at AXIS.
Conrad Brooks, chief administrative and legal officer, lauded Barriero’s track record and ability to foster environments that enhance productivity, collaboration, and operational efficiency.
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