AXIS Capital Holdings brought in a former Allstate executive as its new chief analytics officer. AXA XL hired on a new executive for its Excess Casualty Insurance team. W.R. Berkley Corp.’s Acadia Insurance appointed a new regional vice president and Branch Manager for its New York office, among other executive changes.

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A former Allstate executive joined AXIS Capital Holdings as its Chief Analytics Officer.

Govind Balu, in his new role, is responsible for leading AXIS’ data and analytics initiatives globally. He will also lead he company’s Analytics Center of Excellence, which partners with teams across the organization to create and apply digital and data-focused technology to AXIS’ business.

Previously, Balu was Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Allstate Roadside Services. There, he was responsible for company’s data analytics strategy, building and leading high performing data analytics teams, and implementing analytical capabilities to improve overall company operations, digital transformation, and expand the business growth. Before joining Allstate Roadside Services, Balu worked at both Walgreens Corporation and Bank of America, where he held senior data analytics roles.

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Andrew Dicob has joined AXA XL’s Excess Casualty Insurance team as Leader for the U.S. Northeastern Region.

Based in New York and reporting to Donnacha Smyth, President, Global Excess Casualty, Dicob will work with brokers and clients throughout the region, addressing their excess casualty and commercial umbrella insurance needs. Dicob will be assuming responsibilities for the Northeast from current regional leader Lou Forte, who has been appointed Executive Underwriter for Excess Casualty Insurance, North America.

Dicob has more than 16 years of experience in commercial insurance. He joins AXA XL from Navigators Management Company where he served as vice president of Commercial Insurance underwriting and managed the New York and New Jersey book of umbrella and excess casualty accounts within the North East Region.

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W.R. Berkley Corp.’s Acadia Insurance appointed Tim Morse as regional vice president and Branch Manager of its New York office.

He succeeds Joe Gresia who on January 1, 2019 was appointed senior vice president, Chief Field Operations and Business Development Officer at Berkley FinSecure, a Berkley Company based in Towson, MD.

Morse joined Acadia in November 2013, most recently holding the position of assistant vice president Specialty Marine. In this role, he was responsible for growing the Specialty Marine profit center and implemented an online agent quoting system for builder’s risk business.

Matt McManus succeeded Morse as assistant Vice President, Specialty Marine, effective January 1, 2019. McManus has held professional and leadership roles in Underwriting and Loss Control since he joined Acadia in 2007. He most recently was assistant vice president, Loss Control and has been responsible for improving overall risk management efficiency and effectiveness through strategic partnerships with Acadia agents, profit centers, professional staff and customers.

Sources: AXIS, AXA XL, Berkley/Acadia Insurance