AXA XL has appointed Nancy Bewlay as chief executive, reinsurance, with immediate effect.

The company said Ms Bewlay assumes the role from Charles Cooper who, after more than 20 years as a senior executive in the company's reinsurance business, has decided to step down.

In her new role, the company said, Ms Bewlay will lead AXA XL's reinsurance business which, with a global footprint and a strong balance sheet, is among the world's leading reinsurers, offering solutions that include property, casualty and specialty reinsurance.

Ms Bewlay has more than 30 years of industry experience and has held numerous senior roles at XL Catlin and then AXA XL.

Most recently she held the post of global chief underwriting officer responsible for AXA XL's underwriting governance, pricing and P&L globally.

She joined XL Catlin, now AXA XL, in 2017 as the global chief underwriting officer for casualty.

Before that, she served as head of underwriting for casualty at Swiss Re, leading the underwriting and actuarial treaty teams in the US and Canada.

Between 2011 and 2013, Ms Bewlay was president and chief executive officer of CV Starr & Company (California).

Scott Gunter, AXA XL's CEO, said: "I am delighted that Nancy will be taking on a new role in my team leading our reinsurance business.

“We have an extremely talented team across reinsurance and there is real opportunity to grow profitability in this market.

“Nancy is an accomplished leader and her extensive experience in portfolio management, underwriting governance and pricing will ensure the continued performance of our reinsurance book."