AXIS Capital Appoints Former McKinsey Partner to Lead AI Strategy
The insurer creates a new executive role to transition artificial intelligence from experimentation to scaled operational impact.
AXIS Capital has appointed Rahil Jogani to the newly created role of Head of Technology & Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. The move signals a strategic pivot for the insurer as it seeks to integrate AI into its core operating model to drive measurable business outcomes.
Based in New York, Jogani reports directly to Group Chief Operations Officer Ann Haugh. He joins AXIS following a 16-year tenure at McKinsey & Company, where he served as a Partner and led the global Technology Strategy, Performance & Transformation practice. His primary mandate is to transition the company's AI initiatives from the experimentation phase to scaled impact, specifically targeting improvements in risk selection, portfolio management, claims analysis, and underwriting insight.
Operational Efficiency Drive
The appointment comes as AXIS executes its "How We Work" operational efficiency program. This initiative is designed to streamline internal operations and increase underwriting productivity through the aggressive application of technology and AI. The strategic hire reflects a broader industry trend where specialty insurers are moving away from fragmented AI pilots toward centralized governance and execution.
This push for efficiency follows a period of significant financial strength. AXIS has recorded 15 consecutive quarters of double-digit book value gains and reported a 93% combined ratio in the second quarter of 2026. By aligning its technology leadership with its operational goals, the company aims to sustain this momentum through enhanced decision quality.
The Competitive Edge in AI
The shift toward scaled AI is becoming a critical differentiator in the specialty insurance sector. Data indicates a growing performance gap between carriers, with those employing sophisticated AI achieving higher premium growth and lower combined ratios. By recruiting a transformation expert from McKinsey, AXIS is positioning AI not as a peripheral tool, but as a fundamental driver of competitive advantage in risk assessment.
Ann Haugh, Group COO of AXIS Capital, noted that Jogani brings practical experience leading technology-enabled transformations within highly regulated global financial services firms. According to Haugh, Jogani possesses a "proven ability to bridge the gap between experimentation and scaled impact."
Future Outlook
As Jogani takes the helm of the new strategy seat, the industry will be watching how AXIS translates these AI ambitions into tangible underwriting gains. The success of the "How We Work" program will likely depend on the company's ability to embed these tools into the daily workflows of its underwriters and claims adjusters. While the structural framework is now in place, the long-term impact on the company's combined ratio and portfolio precision remains the key metric for success.