AXA XL Welcomes Donnacha Smyth as Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Casualty

AXA XL Announces New Leadership Appointment

AXA XL has made a significant announcement regarding its leadership team as it prepares for future growth in the casualty insurance sector. Effective November 3, Donnacha Smyth will take on the role of Global Chief Underwriting Officer for Casualty, a position that positions him at the forefront of the company’s strategic underwriting initiatives on a worldwide scale.

Donnacha Smyth is no stranger to AXA XL, having joined the company in 2007 and significantly impacting the organizational landscape since then. Most recently, he has led the Casualty team for the Americas, a region that is recognized as one of the company's most profitable areas. Under his guidance, the America's Casualty practice has flourished, overseeing essential areas such as Primary Risk Management and Excess Risk Management, along with multinational group captives, rail underwriting, and a multitude of underwriting teams across the U.S. and Bermuda.

Upon his appointment, Smyth emphasized his commitment to maintaining strong relationships with teams across the globe while setting a clear vision for underwriting excellence. His relocation to Ireland in 2026 is anticipated to further strengthen the integration between regional units, establishing more cohesive operations and fostering a culture where underwriting innovation can thrive.

Libby Benet, AXA XL’s Global Chief Underwriting Officer, highlighted Smyth's exceptional leadership qualities. She stated, "Donnacha has demonstrated exceptional leadership by redefining the excess liability appetite and collaborating closely with our underwriting and actuarial teams to execute portfolio transformations that lead to remarkable performance. His strategic vision and dedication to developing talent strengthen our organizational culture of underwriting excellence and innovation.”

This global assurance leadership role will engage Smyth in several essential functions, including collaborating with regional Chief Underwriting Officers (CUOs) to nurture profitable growth, ensuring consistent underwriting practices, and spearheading the development of innovative insurance products suited to a dynamic market landscape. Moreover, Smyth will have the pivotal role of overseeing professional growth among underwriters within AXA XL, which includes focused training initiatives aimed at enhancing technical skills and adherence to the highest quality and compliance standards.

Having over three decades of experience in the insurance industry, Donnacha Smyth’s journey has equipped him with invaluable insights that will contribute to AXA XL's future pathway. His history reflects a commitment to fostering a thriving work environment and promoting talent development, an asset that will indeed strengthen AXA XL's market position on a global level.

This elevation in leadership marks a new chapter for AXA XL as it aligns itself for future challenges in the casualty space, ensuring that it remains competitive in a rapidly changing global market. With Smyth at the helm of this essential sector, stakeholders can expect transformative leadership that aims to build on prior success and unlock further opportunities for growth and innovation.

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