AXA XL has appointed Kate Zhou and Ian Lui as senior underwriter and underwriter, respectively, for its energy business in Canada.

Both Zhou and Lui will report to AXA XL Canada head of property, construction, and energy Jennifer Arezes.

Zhou joins AXA XL from Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, where she served as technical account manager for global specialty lines. Before that, she was the lead underwriter for AIG’s energy and engineering risk for more than 12 years. Zhou has a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Shanghai in Shanghai, China.

"Kate is one of the top energy underwriters in the country and her experience will not only bolster our underwriting capabilities but reaffirm our commitment to the energy sector in Canada,” commented Arezes on Zhou’s appointment. “She brings 25 years' experience underwriting the most complex energy risks across multiple sectors and regions throughout continental Canada. She is an excellent addition to our overall property, construction & energy team and will be an invaluable risk management partner to our energy industry clients."

Meanwhile, Lui, was most recently associated with FM Global, where he held several risk and account management roles from 2012 to 2022. He is a graduate of Queen's University Smith School of Business, and earned his degree in chemical engineering from the University of Toronto.

"We are pleased to add Ian to our roster of skilled underwriters in Canada,” Arezes said. “He has wide-ranging experience across risk management for large commercial companies and will bring a fresh talent perspective to our team.”

Read more: AXA XL secures construction and engineering head

Last month, AXA XL named Francesca De Rosa as head of construction and engineering for reinsurance. De Rosa will lead AXA XL’s construction and engineering treaty and facultative portfolio for international and US clients.