AXIS picks Vandeputte to lead European aviation business

AXIS Insurance, the insurance business segment of AXIS Capital Holdings, has hired Filip Vandeputte to lead its AXIS Specialty Europe aviation business in continental Europe.

In his new role, Vandeputte will serve as branch manager and Brussels office lead for Aviabel, the European specialty aviation insurer and reinsurer owned by AXIS. He will also serve as branch manager and Amsterdam office lead for Aviabel’s Dutch brand NLP (Nederlandse Luchtvaartpool).

Vandeputte has more than 30 years’ insurance industry experience. Prior to joining AXIS, he was executive director of Nuytten Verzekeringen, a boutique brokerage in Belgium. He began his career as a non-life claims handler at Royale Belge, before joining Aviabel as an underwriter in 1989. At Aviabel, he held a series of senior management roles, eventually assuming responsibility for the underwriting operation, taking on the role of chief underwriting officer before departing in 2016.

Vandeputte will report to Terry Wood, global head of aviation at AXIS.

Wood said: “We are delighted to see Filip return to the aviation underwriting arena. Hiring an experienced aviation business leader of Filip’s caliber will help us extend our influence and lead market capability as we focus on building the optimal European specialty aviation insurance business. We look forward to Filip’s leadership, knowledge and experience to help us maximize the opportunities that we have identified in the market.”