Insurance company AXA’s subsidiary AXA XL has promoted Mikki Williams and Doug Schmude to lead its Ocean Marine and Commercial Bonds businesses in the Americas Specialty unit.
Williams, based in Seattle, becomes head of Ocean Marine, with responsibility for cargo, hull and protection & indemnity (P&I), and marine liabilities across the region.
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She will manage the Ocean Marine portfolio throughout the Americas, after previously working on the insurer’s marine underwriting and risk management activities.
Schmude, located in Chicago, has been promoted to head of Commercial Bonds.
His remit includes broadening AXA XL’s bonds capabilities and reinforcing relationships with clients in that segment.
AXA XL Americas Specialty chief underwriting officer (CUO) Sylvain Bouteillé said: “Mikki and Doug exemplify the talent, dedication and expertise that are at the core of AXA XL’s success.
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By GlobalData“Their promotions reflect their outstanding contributions and our confidence in their ability to lead these vital segments into the future.”
AXA XL said the internal appointments reflect its strategy of drawing on sector expertise and developing in-house talent to drive expansion and client service in its Americas Specialty insurance operations.
AXA XL Americas large commercial insurance head Donna Nadeau added: “Both Mikki and Doug have been invaluable members of our team for many years. Their knowledge and leadership will undoubtedly support our continued growth and our commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients.”
Separately, last month the insurer named Matthew Stitham as CUO of casualty for the Americas.
Based in San Francisco, he reports to Donna Nadeau and assumes regional underwriting responsibilities previously held by Donnacha Smyth.
Earlier this week, AXA’s Digital Commercial Platform (DCP) and US Earth-imaging provider Planet Labs formed a partnership to supply high-frequency satellite imagery for near-real-time disaster monitoring and response.
Under the arrangement, AXA DCP will integrate data from Planet’s high and medium-resolution satellites and its regularly updated Basemaps into the insurer’s AI-based risk management system.
