Bermuda-based insurer Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. has appointed Thomas Ramey and Wilhelm Zeller to its board as independent directors. Both will serve as class two directors.

Axis chairman Michael Butt said: "Axis Capital will benefit enormously from the experience of our new board members as leaders in our sector while we continue to strengthen our leading global specialty insurance and reinsurance platform."

Mr. Ramey was chairman and president of Liberty International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Group, from 1997 to 2009.

Additionally, Mr. Ramey served in the post of executive vice-president of Liberty Mutual Group from 1995 through 2009.

Prior to joining Liberty, he was president and CEO of American International Healthcare, a subsidiary of AIG, and founder and president of an international healthcare trading company.

Mr. Ramey is currently a Trustee of the Brookings Institution and a Director of The Warranty Group, the International Insurance Society and the Coalition of Service Industries. He also serves as a member of the Chongqing Mayor's International Economic Advisory Council and chairman of the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Mr. Zeller was chairman of the executive board of Hannover Re from 1996 through his retirement from the company on June 30, 2009. Prior to joining Hannover Re, Mr. Zeller was a member of the executive board of Cologne Re from 1977 through 1995 and, in 1995, a member of the Executive Council of General Re Corporation.

From 1970 through 1977, Mr. Zeller served as the head of the Casualty Department and International Department Non-Life at Zurich Insurance Company.