AXIS Re, the reinsurance business segment of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, has announced the appointment of Katie Partington Howarth as chief underwriting officer and head of the reinsurance products division.

In her new role, Partington Howarth will be a member of the reinsurance leadership team, and will be responsible for the global underwriting approach and portfolio management for all lines of business across the company. She will be based in Bermuda and will report to AXIS Re CEO Steve Arora.

“Katie is a highly accomplished and widely respected reinsurance leader,” Arora said. “She brings unique versatility – combining technical underwriting skills, analytical and portfolio management acumen, and a commercial perspective. With a proven track record of success in underwriting and managing portfolios across multiple global markets, Katie will play an important role as we continue on our path to be a profitable leader in the reinsurance industry. We are excited by her energy and caliber.”

Partington Howarth has 20 years of experience in the reinsurance industry. Most recently, she served as group head of ceded reinsurance at Argo Group. She has also served as head of underwriting risk for Ariel Re and as a catastrophe risk analyst and broker at Benfield. She began her reinsurance career at E.W. Blanch in London.