Bermnuda re/insurer Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd has hired Axel Schmidt as group chief underwriting officer.

Mr Schmidt replaces Andrew Carrier, who has announced he will be leaving Argo for personal reasons this summer.

The newly recruited executive previously worked for UK injsurer Aviva, wher he was chief underwriting officer for the company’s UK/Ireland business across personal, commercial and corporate/specialty lines.

Argo Group chief executive officer Mark Watson said Mr Schmidt “brings a strong reputation, tremendous experience in global underwriting strategy and a track record of improving profitability”.

He added: “We thank Andrew for his success in building an expert, disciplined underwriting culture throughout Argo. In addition to developing our Group CUO role, Andrew created and led our reinsurance operation, Argo Re, before handing the reins over to Matthew Wilken last year. He’s leaving Argo with an underwriting portfolio that is well balanced and in good shape.”

Mr Schmidt has more than 25 years’ experience in the global insurance and reinsurance market.

Before joining Aviva, Mr Schmidt spent 20 years at Zurich where he held a number of senior underwriting and management positions including deputy CEO/CUO of Zurich’s corporate business in Europe/UK and underwriting director for Zurich’s global corporate business.