People Moves: Markel Taps Former RSA Exec Mooney to Succeed Galjaard; AXA XL Reinsurance Names Ivanova as Head of Property, International Reinsurance

This edition of International People Moves details executive appointments at Markel and AXA XL Reinsurance.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Markel Taps Former RSA Exec Mooney to Succeed Galjaard Who Will Step Down

Markel, the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc., announced that Lee Mooney will succeed Neil Galjaard who is stepping down from his role as managing director of Markel UK.

Mooney will take over as the leader of Markel’s UK regional business, subject to regulatory approval.

An experienced insurance industry leader, Mooney spent more than 25 years at RSA, most recently leading the UK Commercial Lines Business. In his new role, he will be based in Leeds, England, and report to Henrik Bjornstad, managing director – National Markets at Markel International.

Since Galjaard took on the leadership role of Markel UK in 2016, revenue has grown by 200% and profitability has improved, Markel said. He recently led the development of the business’s new five-year strategy – the core focus of which is to increase relevance with distribution partners and clients.

As Galjaard’s personal plans did not see him working in a full-time capacity throughout this period, he decided to step down once a successor had been found.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance Neil has had for our National Markets UK business. Under his leadership we have been voted the number one insurer for service in commercial lines three times and we have tripled in size while improving profit levels,” commented Bjornstad.

“The transformation he has helped to achieve, and the development of the new five-year strategy, mean we couldn’t be better positioned for future success. I’m incredibly grateful for all he has achieved and wish him the very best in the next phase of his professional and personal journey,” he added.

***

AXA XL Reinsurance Names Ivanova as Head of Property, Int’l Reinsurance

AXA XL Reinsurance has announced that it has appointed Petya Ivanova as Head of Property, International Reinsurance, effective July 1st. She will oversee our Property portfolio across the International region working with our valued clients and talented underwriting team.

Petya brings a wealth of expertise to the role. She has over 25 years of international experience in property/casualty and life re/insurance, having worked across various divisions within AXA Group in both Paris and New York. Most recently, she served as head of Mature Markets within the the Group Ceded Reinsurance department, where she was responsible for P/C and life reinsurance strategy and placement for European markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Bertrand Romagne, chief executive officer, International Reinsurance said: “Petya joins us with a huge amount of experience gained within AXA Group internationally. She will provide strategic leadership, drive underwriting excellence, and enhance market visibility for the International Property portfolio; a key part of our business.”

Topics Reinsurance Property AXA XL