Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. announced today that former Bowring Marsh CEO Mark Gregory will join Axis Insurance in London as chief executive officer of International Specialty Lines and branch manager of Axis Specialty London

He will take over the job effective January 1, 2010, pending regulatory approval.

Mr. Gregory will report to Jack Gressier, chairman of Axis Insurance.

"We are extremely pleased that Mark will be joining us," Mr. Gressier said. "His extensive knowledge of global wholesale insurance markets, his broad international experience and his proven leadership abilities acquired over many years with Marsh make him particularly well suited to lead our International Specialty insurance operations.

Mr. Gregory has more than 29 years of experience in the international insurance industry and his previous role was CEO of Bowring Marsh, global wholesale placement operation of Marsh formed in July 2008.

After joining Marsh in 1994, Mr. Gregory held several senior roles including CEO of Marsh Global Markets before establishing and subsequently running Bowring Marsh in 2008.

Mr. Gregory started his insurance career with the Sedgwick Group in 1980 and progressed through a variety of broking and placement positions, including assignments in Chile and Argentina.