Bermudian-based Axis Capital Holdings Ltd has appointed Sara Mitchell as its future head of Global Markets.

She succeeds Mark Gregory, who will retire from the company next March following a career that spans five decades in the industry, including 15 years with Axis.

Ms Mitchell, who previously served as divisional president of Chubb’s Continental Europe and Middle East and North Africa business, will join the company on November 25 as strategic adviser to the head of Global Markets and will be a member of the company’s executive committee.

Based in London, she will assume the role of head of Global Markets on January 1 as part of a planned leadership succession process and will report to Axis president and chief executive Vince Tizzio.

“We are grateful to Mark for his tremendous leadership and years of service to Axis. He has played a crucial role in helping elevate Axis as a global specialty leader,” said Mr Tizzio.

He added: “In Sara, we have found an exceptional leader to succeed Mark. We are excited about transitioning Axis into a new chapter, building on the strong foundation that is already in place for our Global Markets division.”