New CEO steps up at AXIS Capital

AXIS Capital Holdings has announced that Vincent C. Tizzio has assumed the role of president and CEO of the company.

Tizzio officially assumed the role Thursday, timed to coincide with the company’s annual general meeting at its headquarters in Bermuda.

Tizzio’s promotion to president and CEO was announced in December. He succeeds longtime AXIS president and CEO Albert Benchimol, who will continue to serve as a strategic advisor to the company through the end of the year.

“On behalf of the board of directors and our entire team at AXIS, we couldn’t be more excited to name Vince as the company’s president and CEO,” said Henry Smith, chair of the AXIS board of directors. “Vince is a stellar leader who brings the vision, expansive specialty underwriting knowledge, and passion needed to take our company to the next level. He is also an excellent people leader who perfectly embodies the company’s culture and values.

Tizzio joined AXIS in January 2022 as senior advisor for insurance market strategy and future insurance CEO, reporting to Benchimol. In June 2022, he was promoted to CEO of specialty insurance and reinsurance.

“I’m deeply honoured to be named president and CEO of AXIS and to have the opportunity to build on the foundation established by Albert and the team,” Tizzio said. “I express my gratitude to Albert, Henry, the board of directors, and our colleagues worldwide for placing their trust in me. It’s my strong belief that we are only just beginning to tap into our potential as a great underwriting company that stands apart for the specialty expertise and acumen of our people and the value that we provide to our customers. In the current dynamic market, there is a greater need than ever for the tailored specialty insurance products and services that we offer.”

“Serving as president and CEO of AXIS has been the highlight of my career,” Benchimol said. “Words cannot express the gratitude that I feel towards my colleagues at AXIS, as well as to our brokers and partners, for their partnership, commitment and friendship. I’m proud of all that we accomplished and excited for the future that stands before AXIS. In Vince we have a fantastic leader who has the vision and ability to take AXIS to even greater levels of success.”

“The board and I are grateful to Albert Benchimol for the leadership that he brought to AXIS for close to 13 years,” Smith said. “Under Albert’s direction, AXIS transformed and refocused as a specialty leader, cultivating a strong and vibrant workplace culture, while taking crucial steps forward in building a pathway to lasting, profitable growth.”

Have something to say about this story? Let us know in the comments below.