AXA XL Reinsurance Elevates Longbottom and Pedro; Matthias Takes the Helm of Zurich Resilience Solutions, Succeeding De Nil
This edition of International People Moves highlights significant appointments at AXA XL Reinsurance and Zurich Insurance Group, showcasing the latest leadership changes in the insurance industry.
A summary of these new hires follows here.
AXA XL Reinsurance Promotes Longbottom and Pedro
AXA XL Reinsurance has announced the promotion of Julian Longbottom to the position of global head of Marine & Energy, Reinsurance, and Jamie Pedro to head of Specialty, Reinsurance, Bermuda, effective January 1, 2026.
In his new role, Longbottom will spearhead AXA XL Reinsurance’s Marine & Energy business, focusing on the development and implementation of a global reinsurance strategy. With over a decade of experience at AXA XL, he brings a wealth of expertise in growth, client solutions, and strategic development, notably enhancing AXA XL’s portfolio in Japan.
Meanwhile, Pedro will take on the role of global product lead for whole account reinsurance risks. He will work closely with Longbottom to manage Bermuda’s Marine & Energy reinsurance risks while maintaining strong relationships with core clients across the reinsurance Property portfolio. Pedro brings 15 years of experience from AXA XL’s Bermuda Property reinsurance division.
AXA XL, the property/casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides comprehensive insurance and risk management products and services tailored for mid-sized companies to large multinationals, along with reinsurance solutions for insurance companies worldwide.
***
Matthias Appointed Global Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, Succeeding De Nil
Zurich Insurance Group has appointed Robin Matthias as the global head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, effective March 1, 2026. Matthias succeeds Dirk De Nil, who is retiring after a remarkable 35-year career in the insurance sector, including 17 years at Zurich.
Matthias brings a robust consultancy background to his new role, having spent nearly 20 years at McKinsey, including a decade as a partner. He has advised clients in the financial services sector and major European insurers. Most recently, he served as senior vice president & client executive at State Street Bank International, where he managed strategic customer relationships in EMEA and drove growth across complex portfolios.
In his new position, Matthias will lead a team of over 1,000 risk experts globally. Based in Zurich, he will report to Sierra Signorelli, CEO of U.S. and Commercial Insurance.
“Zurich Resilience Solutions is pivotal to our customer proposition, as we remain focused on working with our customers to prevent and mitigate traditional as well as emerging risks in this evolving and complex global risk environment,” commented Signorelli.
Signorelli also expressed gratitude to De Nil for his instrumental role in shaping Zurich Resilience Solutions into one of the company’s fastest-growing businesses. “Under his guidance, the business has achieved double-digit growth, expanded its market presence, and evolved with a renewed focus on advisory services and sales development. I am deeply grateful for Dirk’s energy, collaboration, and many contributions to Zurich,” he added.
With a team of over 1,000 risk experts, Zurich Resilience Solutions offers a range of services that combine risk advisory and insights, helping corporate clients proactively manage their risks while providing effective risk management, prevention, and mitigation solutions.
Topics
Reinsurance
AXA XL
Interested in Reinsurance?
Get automatic alerts for this topic.
This edition of International People Moves highlights significant appointments at AXA XL Reinsurance and Zurich Insurance Group, showcasing the latest leadership changes in the insurance industry.
A summary of these new hires follows here.
AXA XL Reinsurance Promotes Longbottom and Pedro
AXA XL Reinsurance has announced the promotion of Julian Longbottom to the position of global head of Marine & Energy, Reinsurance, and Jamie Pedro to head of Specialty, Reinsurance, Bermuda, effective January 1, 2026.
In his new role, Longbottom will spearhead AXA XL Reinsurance’s Marine & Energy business, focusing on the development and implementation of a global reinsurance strategy. With over a decade of experience at AXA XL, he brings a wealth of expertise in growth, client solutions, and strategic development, notably enhancing AXA XL’s portfolio in Japan.
Meanwhile, Pedro will take on the role of global product lead for whole account reinsurance risks. He will work closely with Longbottom to manage Bermuda’s Marine & Energy reinsurance risks while maintaining strong relationships with core clients across the reinsurance Property portfolio. Pedro brings 15 years of experience from AXA XL’s Bermuda Property reinsurance division.
AXA XL, the property/casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, provides comprehensive insurance and risk management products and services tailored for mid-sized companies to large multinationals, along with reinsurance solutions for insurance companies worldwide.
***
Matthias Appointed Global Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, Succeeding De Nil
Zurich Insurance Group has appointed Robin Matthias as the global head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, effective March 1, 2026. Matthias succeeds Dirk De Nil, who is retiring after a remarkable 35-year career in the insurance sector, including 17 years at Zurich.
Matthias brings a robust consultancy background to his new role, having spent nearly 20 years at McKinsey, including a decade as a partner. He has advised clients in the financial services sector and major European insurers. Most recently, he served as senior vice president & client executive at State Street Bank International, where he managed strategic customer relationships in EMEA and drove growth across complex portfolios.
In his new position, Matthias will lead a team of over 1,000 risk experts globally. Based in Zurich, he will report to Sierra Signorelli, CEO of U.S. and Commercial Insurance.
“Zurich Resilience Solutions is pivotal to our customer proposition, as we remain focused on working with our customers to prevent and mitigate traditional as well as emerging risks in this evolving and complex global risk environment,” commented Signorelli.
Signorelli also expressed gratitude to De Nil for his instrumental role in shaping Zurich Resilience Solutions into one of the company’s fastest-growing businesses. “Under his guidance, the business has achieved double-digit growth, expanded its market presence, and evolved with a renewed focus on advisory services and sales development. I am deeply grateful for Dirk’s energy, collaboration, and many contributions to Zurich,” he added.
With a team of over 1,000 risk experts, Zurich Resilience Solutions offers a range of services that combine risk advisory and insights, helping corporate clients proactively manage their risks while providing effective risk management, prevention, and mitigation solutions.
Topics
Reinsurance
AXA XL
Interested in Reinsurance?
Get automatic alerts for this topic.
