Bermudian-based Axis Capital Holdings Limited has appointed Megan Watt as chief claims officer, effective April 17.

Ms Watt will be based in New York and will report directly to Vince Tizzio, CEO, specialty insurance and reinsurance, and future group CEO (effective May 4).

In this role, Ms Watt will be responsible for the overall management and direction of the claims department across the company’s global portfolio. In addition, she will lead the evaluation, design and implementation of claims policies and procedures.

She joins Axis from Chubb, where she was the head of North America complex claims. Previously, she served as chief claims officer for Everest, and prior to that, held claims leadership roles with increasing levels of responsibility at AIG.