AXA XL swoops for key hires from Hiscox and Chubb in the UK

Re/insurer AXA XL has made key additions to its private clients team in the UK, including senior hires from Hiscox and Chubb.

Chris Lewis has taken on the role of independent broker sales manager, with responsibility for managing the relationships and developing the business with AXA XL’s independent broker panel. He was previously a managing director at Borland Private Clients, and earlier spent 20 years at Chubb in a variety of private clients roles, most recently in senior sales and development positions.

James Ellis joins as an underwriter. He joins from Hiscox, where he held the position of high net worth (HNW) development underwriter. Previously, he spent five years at Chubb as a high net worth underwriter, primarily looking after independent brokers.

Steve Morse joins as UK underwriting manager and will be responsible for leading AXA XL’s private clients business. He also joins from Hiscox, where he spent 16 years in a variety of roles, most recently as regional manager for the Midlands. He also undertook the role of head of motor and overseas property and several other senior positions.

Finally, Tom French joins the team as sales manager. He will be responsible for driving AXA XL’s UK sales efforts and for enhancing global and larger national broker relationships. He joins from Chubb, where he spent more than three years as strategic development manager. He had previously spent 12 years at Larks in several broking roles in the company’s private clients division.

Simon Mobey, head of private clients at AXA XL, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris, James, Steve and Tom to the team. This significant investment in talent demonstrates our commitment to the private clients market in the UK and to providing a best-in-class service for our clients. We have very ambitious plans for this market, and these four appointments and the attributes they bring will play an important role in helping us to deliver on those.”