AXA XL has announced the appointment of Thisiani Matsumura-Martins as global chief underwriting officer for aerospace, effective April 01. Matsumura-Martins will be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will work closely with the regional business units to develop and assess underwriting strategic direction and profitability for aerospace. She will report to Nancy Bewlay, global chief underwriting officer.
“Thisiani brings a wealth of technical and market-facing experience,” Bewlay said. “She is a seasoned regional leader prepared to support the aerospace team in product development, innovation and client and broker relations across all geographies and markets.”
Matsumura-Martins has 27 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance space. She previously worked at Allianz and Liberty, and as an underwriter in business lines including aerospace, property, construction, marine, personal accident and life. She joined AXA XL in 2014 as technical director for Brazil and was later appointed chief of staff for Latin America. She currently serves as the interim regional leader for AXA XL in Latin America and country manager for Brazil.
Additionally, Tom Callahan has been promoted to global head of underwriting management and CUO of aviation. Callahan will be based in New York and will report to Matsumura-Martins.
Callahan has been a member of AXA XL’s aerospace team since 2006, most recently serving as global head of underwriting management. In his new role, he will have increased responsibility for the technical underwriting strategy for aviation.
“Over the last few months, Tom has been instrumental in supporting our global aerospace business in the absence of a global CUO,” Bewlay said. “He will be equally instrumental in his new expanded role as we continue to grow our global aviation business.”