AXA XL has announced Julie Morgan as the new head of claims for Australia, starting May 27, 2024.
Morgan oversees claims operations across all business lines within Australia.
Catherine Carlyon, country leader for AXA XL in Australia, commented on the appointment, saying: “Julie brings both a depth of experience and a fresh perspective to AXA XL.”
Morgan takes over from Julijana Sumner, who led the Australian claims team for over 10 years before being promoted to chief claims officer for APAC and Europe.
Sumner commented: “Our market-leading Australia claims team will go from strength to strength under Julie’s leadership.”
Morgan has more than 20 years of industry experience, most recently as head of technical and complex claims for Australia and New Zealand at Zurich Insurance. She holds a law degree from the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board and the University of Sydney.
She has an extensive background in general insurance lines and specialisation in financial lines and casualty. She also mentors emerging insurance professionals and keeps up with claims market trends.
Morgan’s leadership appointment follows the promotion of Neil Cole to global chief underwriting officer (CUO) for its marine sector, effective April 1.
Cole, with a 25-year tenure in the marine industry and a decade at AXA XL, steps into the role with significant expertise. Previously, he had served as global head of underwriting management and deputy chief underwriting officer for marine since 2020. His career also includes positions at XL Group, Zurich Insurance, and Starr Companies.
In his new role, Cole will drive the strategic direction and expansion of AXA XL’s marine insurance portfolios, overseeing global product strategies, pricing, and risk aggregation.
AXA XL’s property & casualty and specialty risk division has also appointed Anne Marie Elder as its first global CUO for specialty.
Elder, who joined AXA XL in 2011 and started in her new role on April 1, manages the marine, aerospace, and specialty niche portfolios at AXA XL.
Within the company, she previously held the position of global CUO for marine. Her career also includes roles at The Hartford, Allianz, and CNA Insurance.
