Dennis Holt, former group chief executive of AXA UK, will become chairman of Lloyd's insurer Beazley following the firm's annual general meeting in March 2012.

The company has appointed Holt as a non-executive director on Thursday.

Holt retired as group CEO of AXA UK in June 2006 and was replaced by Nicolas Moreau.

Holt will replace current Beazley chairman Jonathan Agnew, who as previously announced will be stepping down after serving as chairman since 2003.

"Dennis brings a wealth of insurance and broader financial services sector expertise to the role, which will be invaluable to us as we continue to grow our business at Lloyd’s and internationally,” Beazley chief executive Andrew Horton said in a statement.

In addition, Andy Pomfret stepped down from the Beazley board on Thursday to concentrate on his role as chief executive officer of Rathbone Brothers. In adddition to being a senior independent director, Pomfret also chaired Beazley's remuneration committee.

Pomfret has been succeeded as chairman of the remuneration committee by Padraic O’Connor and as senior independent director by George Blunden.

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