Global property and casualty insurer Chubb has appointed James Wixtead as executive chairman of its global reinsurance business, Chubb Tempest Re, and Michael O’Donnell as senior vice president of Chubb Group and president of Chubb Tempest Re, succeeding Wixtead.
Chubb Tempest Re offers a broad range of traditional and specialty reinsurance products to a diverse portfolio of major property and casualty insurance companies.
In his new role, Wixtead will provide governance oversight and strategic advice to Chubb’s global reinsurance business.
He brings nearly 40 years of insurance industry experience. Prior to ACE’s acquisition of Chubb in January 2016, he served as President of ACE Tempest Re Group and was appointed Senior Vice President of ACE Group in July 2014. From 2005 to 2014, he served as division president of ACE Tempest Re USA, responsible for ACE’s traditional and non-traditional property and casualty reinsurance businesses in North America.
Wixtead currently serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors of ABR Re.
As president of Chubb Tempest Re, O’Donnell will have day-to-day executive management responsibilities for the business, including revenue and profits.
He will report to Chubb Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Evan G. Greenberg and Chubb Group President and Chief Operating Officer John Keogh.
O’Donnell has served as division president of Chubb Tempest Re USA since 2014, overseeing Chubb’s domestic property and casualty reinsurance business.
He joined Chubb Tempest Re in 2006 as a casualty treaty underwriter and began his career with General Reinsurance Corp. as a casualty treaty underwriter.
“In more than three decades in this industry, Jim has earned the trust of clients and brokers around the world and instilled the underwriting discipline that has defined the way we operate,” said Greenberg. “I want to thank him for his contributions over the years.”
Greenberg added: “Michael is an outstanding underwriter who has brilliantly led our U.S. reinsurance business for more than a decade. His command of this business and its complexities gives me confidence in his ability to grow our global reinsurance business.”
The leadership appointments are all effective August 1, 2026.
