New recruit to start next February

AXA cropped

AXA UK has hired Flood Re chief executive Brendan McCafferty as head of its general insurance business.

His title is chief executive of AXA Insurance, intermediated and direct, and he will join the insurer on February 13 2017.

He will report to AXA UK’s group chief executive Amanda Blanc and take responsibility for the four business units that make up AXA UK’s £2.4bn general insurance business – commercial intermediary; personal intermediary and corporate partnerships; personal direct and retail partnerships; and AXA Business Insurance.

The current heads of the four units will remain in place.

Flood Re, the affordable flood insurance scheme, is now seeking a replacement for McCafferty.

AXA UK is made up of AXA Insurance and AXX PPP Healthcare.

Blanc said: “This is an excellent appointment for AXA Insurance. Brendan brings dual underwriting and distribution experience in both commercial and personal lines, which will be invaluable to us.

“Brendan understands the importance of a multi-distribution strategy, providing customers with choice of products and channels and from his time at Flood Re, has a keen understanding of the current and emerging needs of consumers.

“Brendan’s undoubted stakeholder engagement skills will also ensure he is well equipped to bring all the advantages of AXA Group to bear for customers, partners and brokers alike.”

McCafferty said: “Flood Re has been a career high for me. It was a great honour to lead the talented team that brought Flood Re to reality and now that business is established and growing strongly I am delighted to join AXA as this fantastic organisation adapts to make the most of the opportunities ahead.”

Flood Re chairman Mark Hoban added: “Brendan leaves Flood Re in good shape, ready for the next phase of its development with a very strong team. We have started the search for Brendan’s replacement.”