Axa XL shakes up UK and Lloyd’s specialty team with leadership hires

Axa XL has reorganised its UK and Lloyd’s specialty team, with Louise Nevill appointed chief underwriting officer for specialty and Sundeep Khera appointed head of marine and energy.

The insurer said the appointments form part of a broader restructure of its underwriting operating model under the leadership of chief underwriting officer Mike Gosselin.

Nevill, who will join from Marsh later this year, will oversee Axa XL’s specialty pillar, which includes equine, livestock, aquaculture, fine art and specie, sports, media and entertainment, security risk, product recall, political risk, credit and bond, energy, marine and aerospace. She will report to Gosselin.

Khera, who has led marine underwriting at Axa XL since 2021, will take on an expanded role and report to Nevill.

Before joining Axa in 2013, he held positions in shipping operations, stowage planning and commercial management for Emirates Shipping Line.

People moves

Gosselin said the changes were designed to “enhance collaboration with brokers at all levels” and strengthen Axa XL’s ability to meet client needs.

He added: “Both Nevill and Khera are extremely respected in the market. Nevill specifically will play a key role in supercharging our entire specialty function while maintaining underwriting discipline and optimising profitability.”

Nevill has nearly 30 years of experience across broking and underwriting, having served as chief executive of marine, cargo and logistics at Marsh Specialty UK for the past five years. She is a marine underwriter who has transitioned into specialty underwriting management.

Last week, Axa XL also announced the appointment of a new UK head of broker management and alternative distribution.

In other Axa XL people developments, the insurer also decided to expand its UK cyber team in September 2024 in response to growing concerns among clients.

Axa XL is the property and casualty and specialty risk division of Axa.