AXIS Capital names new claims chief

AXIS Capital Holdings has announced the appointment of Megan Watt as chief claims officer, effective April 17. Watt will be based in New York and will report to Vince Tizzio, CEO of specialty insurance and reinsurance and incoming group CEO (effective May 4).

In her new role, Watt will be responsible for the management and direction of the claims department across AXIS Capital’s global portfolio. She will also spearhead the evaluation, design and implementation of the company’s claims policies and procedures.

“Megan is an exciting addition to our team – a world-class claims leader with an established record of success leading P&C commercial claims organisations with diverse, complex operating environments,” said Tizzio, who will succeed Albert A. Benchimol as group CEO. “In addition, Megan brings demonstrated experience and a proven ability to foster a deep, subject-matter-expert claims organisation that is data-driven, mindful of operational effectiveness, and customer-responsive.”

Watt joins AXIS from Chubb, where she served as head of North America complex claims. Prior to that, she served as chief claims officer at Everest. She has also held claims leadership positions at AIG.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join AXIS and become part of a strong global team that is already recognised within the industry for its superior claims handling,” Watt said. “AXIS is a specialty insurance leader that stands apart for its ability to help customers navigate dynamic risk environments, and the company’s value-driven culture and customer-centric approach resonate very deeply with me.”