XL Group announced Friday that Kelly Lyles, a former AIG executive, will lead its XL’s Global Professional lines of business.

Lyles will be based in London, reporting to Greg Hendrick, Chief Executive of XL Group’s global insurance operation.

She assumes the role from Bernard Horovitz, who remains at XL, and steps into the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Insurance Special Projects.

XL’s Global Professional Lines unit provides professional liability insurance for directors and officers, financial institutions, architects, engineers and other businesses and service professionals.

Lyles most recently served as Head of Specialty Lines for AIG Property Casualty’s Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Region. She was responsible for developing AIG’s Specialty Lines portfolio and expanding its presence in the EMEA region.

Prior to this position, she was AIG’s Country Manager in France, where she was responsible for Commercial and Consumer business development, Operations & Systems, Claims, Finance & Accounting, HR, and Legal.

She is a graduate of Villanova University in the U.S.

Horovitz, a casualty actuary, has led XL’s Global Professional team since 2008. During his tenure, XL Group’s Global Professional portfolio has grown internationally and expanded to address the professional liability insurance needs for some of the world’s largest companies and independent service professionals.

Source: XL Group plc