American International Group Inc. on Tuesday announced senior leadership changes in its commercial insurance business, naming Michael Smith to the role of chief operating officer.

In addition, James Shea has been appointed president of global financial lines, and Robert Thomas has been named president of global specialty lines.

All three executives will report to John Q. Doyle, CEO of global commercial insurance.

As COO, Smith will be responsible for advancing commercial insurance’s long-range strategies and its customer-focused distribution strategy. He will direct a team responsible for broker and client relationships, global risk solutions including multinational insurance strategy, as well as marketing strategy and innovation.

Smith will also oversee operations and systems initiatives for commercial insurance worldwide.

Smith most recently served as president of global financial lines for AIG. Prior to that, he was president of executive liability. He has significant global experience in underwriting and claims management.

Shea, currently president of global specialty lines, will assume Smith’s responsibilities as the new president of global financial lines.

Shea began his career with National Union in New York and has held senior positions including managing director for AIG Property Casualty in the U.K., regional president for AIG Property Casualty in the Central Europe and CIS Region, head of financial lines for AIU Insurance Co., and regional vice president of general insurance in Japan. Shea has been based in various cities throughout his tenure with AIG, including London, New York, Singapore, Paris and Tokyo.

Thomas will succeed Shea as president of global specialty lines, where he will oversee aerospace, environmental, marine, trade credit, political risk, surety and programs insurance worldwide. Thomas moves to the role after serving as the commercial insurance COO since 2011. He was instrumental in setting commercial insurance on the right path to improve its business mix and build its strategy.

Thomas has deep experience in international commercial lines, having served as president of AIU Commercial Lines and as executive vice president for AIU Corporate Accounts. He was regional president for the Southeast Asia/China Region and the Middle East, Mediterranean, and South Asia Region (MEMSA), as well as country head of AIA Life China.

Source: American International Group Inc.