Chubb Tempest Re, the global reinsurance business of Chubb, has announced changes to its senior leadership team.

James Wixtead, senior vice-president, Chubb Group and president, Chubb Tempest Re Group, has been named executive chairman.

Michael O'Donnell, who is division president, Chubb Tempest Re USA, has been named senior vice-president, Chubb Group and president, Chubb Tempest Re, succeeding Mr Wixtead. The appointments are effective August 1.

As executive chairman, Mr Wixtead will provide governance oversight and advise on strategy for Chubb global reinsurance. As president, O'Donnell has day-to-day executive management responsibility for Chubb Tempest Re, both top and bottom line.

Chubb Tempest Re provides a broad range of traditional and specialty reinsurance products. Mr O'Donnell will report to Evan Greenberg, Chubb’s chairman and chief executive officer, and John Keogh, president and chief operating officer, Chubb Group.

“For over three decades in this industry, Jim has earned the confidence of clients and brokers around the world and instilled the underwriting discipline that defines how we operate,” said Greenberg. “I want to thank him for his years of contribution.”

Mr Greenberg added: “Michael is an exceptional underwriter who has led our US reinsurance operation with distinction for more than a decade. His command of this business and its complexities give me full confidence in his ability to grow our global reinsurance franchise.”

Mr Wixtead brings nearly 40 years of insurance industry experience to the role. He has held a variety of leadership roles at Ace, prior to its acquisition of Chubb in 2016, and at Chubb Tempest Re. Mr Wixtead also serves as an adviser on the board of directors for ABR Re.

Mr O’Donnell has served as division president, Chubb Tempest Re USA, since 2014, with responsibility for Chubb's domestic property and casualty assumed reinsurance operation. He joined Chubb Tempest Re in 2006 as a casualty treaty underwriter and began his career with General Reinsurance Corp as a casualty facultative underwriter.