AXA XL snags senior financial lines executive from Zurich

AXA XL Insurance has appointed Stéphane Vauterin as underwriting manager, international financial lines for France, based in Paris.

Vauterin joins AXA XL from Zurich Insurance where he held a number of senior financial lines underwriting positions. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the insurance sector.

Julien Guénot, country leader, France at AXA XL Insurance, said: “As a major provider of financial lines insurance globally, we support our French clients with a full suite of specialised solutions from Directors and Officers insurance to Mergers and Acquisitions and Cyber.

“The recent increase in Directors and Officers claims, particularly in the large corporate segment, led to tension in that market. French clients and their brokers are, as a result, turning to insurers to help them navigate these developments.”

Simona Fumagalli, underwriting manager, international financial lines – Europe at AXA XL, said: “Directors and officers of international companies face heightened risks as claims against them have spiked, driven by a combination of regulatory activity, third-party litigation funding, collective redress action in European Union, #MeToo and recessionary threat. I am delighted that Stéphane has joined the team; he will play a key role in helping our clients navigate those evolving risks.”