Axa XL signals ILS appetite with former Axis head Caponigro

Axa XL has appointed Chris Caponigro as head of reinsurance capital management, responsible for further expanding the product offering and investor base.

Based in the US, Caponigro will report to Guy Van Hecke, head of ceded reinsurance at Axa XL.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the (re)insurance industry, Caponigro most recently served as global head of ILS at Axis Capital between June 2021 and June 2023. In this position he held group level responsibility overseeing the team that designed and administered private capital investor relationships.

Other previous roles include head of business development at Mount Logan Re, and senior vice president at Platinum Underwriters Bermuda.

Commenting on the appointment, Van Hecke said: “Third-party capital continues to demonstrate a strong appetite for ILS. This demand aligns with our own strategy of accessing alternative sources of ceding capacity as part of our growth plans.

“We have an existing and established team in this space, and our expertise and offering will be further strengthened by Chris’ appointment. Chris brings a wealth of industry experience, and his technical risk capabilities and financial structuring skillset will be key in achieving our strategic goals.”