Axis Re to hire Canopius’ Gray as head of marine

Canopius’ deputy head of reinsurance Chris Gray is set to join Axis as head of marine reinsurance, The Insurer can reveal.

The hire is part of a broader drive by Axis Re to target specialty growth, with the company having announced its exit from property reinsurance in June.

The Insurer understands Gray will be based in London for the role and will report to Andy Hottinger, president of international at Axis Re.

In an interview with The Insurer TV at this year’s Monte Carlo Rendez-Vous, Axis Re CEO Ann Haugh detailed how the carrier was shifting its portfolio to focus on casualty, specialty lines, accident and health and global credit.

Gray’s arrival comes two months after Axis Re unveiled a new head of global credit, Michael Silas.

Yesterday this publication revealed Gray was set to depart Canopius after more than five years with the group.

He joined what was Sompo Canopius Re in February 2017 as head of protection and indemnity (P&I) reinsurance and maintained oversight of the class when he was promoted to deputy head of reinsurance underwriting for marine and specialty in October 2019.

His remit expanded to include casualty in February this year, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Gray previously led the marine treaty team at Swiss Re, having earlier served as a P&I underwriter for Munich Re.

When contacted by this publication Axis Re confirmed the hire. “We are pleased to welcome Chris to Axis Re as global head of marine reinsurance as we look to grow our specialist business,” Hottinger said.