[September 22, 2016]

Axis Capital Hires Michiko Kurahashi and Joe Cohen to Launch Integrated Marketing Communications Function

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital") (NYSE:AXS), a global provider of specialty insurance and reinsurance, today announced the appointments of Michiko Kurahashi as Chief Marketing Officer and Joe Cohen as Chief Communications Officer. Kurahashi and Cohen will work together to build an integrated marketing communications function that further elevates the AXIS brand and deepens the firm's engagement with its clients, partners and employees.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160922006172/en/

From left to right: Joe Cohen, Chief Communications Officer and Michiko Kurahashi, Chief Marketing Officer (Photo: Business Wire)

In the newly created position of CMO, Ms. Kurahashi will work closely with AXIS Capital's three business units - AXIS Insurance, AXIS Reinsurance and AXIS Accident & Health - to guide and facilitate marketing strategies that are aligned with business objectives to drive growth.

Mr. Cohen, also serving in a newly created role, will guide communications strategy across the company. This includes helping to further refine AXIS Capital's brand positioning, elevate its profile in traditional and social media, and enhance its internal communications.

"In Michiko and Joe, we have added highly seasoned marketing communications leaders who bring experience working with a diverse range of world class brands," said Albert Benchimol, President and CEO of AXIS Capital. "As we grow the XIS brand, we need to learn from the industries that are best at marketing on how to further connect and deepen our engagement with clients."

Added Benchimol, "Today marketing is no longer just about brand development but it is also about seeking excellence in the experience that we provide to our clients. During this transformative time in our industry, Michiko and Joe will play an essential role in guiding AXIS into the future by introducing fresh thinking and innovative, data-driven approaches."

Michiko Kurahashi Bio

Ms. Kurahashi comes to AXIS Capital after having held senior global marketing leadership roles at some of the world's most respected financial institutions. Previously, she served as Director, Head of Marketing at CIT Bank. In leading the development of CIT's Internet bank, her digital marketing initiatives resulted in retail deposits of more than $11 billion in four years. Prior to CIT Bank, Ms. Kurahashi held leadership positions at UBS and HSBC where she built brand awareness, launched innovative products, and developed client management capabilities for wealth management, asset management, capital markets, and brokerage in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Ms. Kurahashi holds both a PhD and master's degree in sociology from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

Joe Cohen Bio

Mr. Cohen joins AXIS Capital with nearly two decades of experience helping brands and organizations establish relevance and drive business growth through public relations and social media. Previously, he served as SVP of communications at KIND Healthy Snacks where he guided the introduction of new best practices in integrated brand communications, corporate reputation, and advocacy/issues management. Mr. Cohen previously worked for 15 years at MWW (News - Alert), a leading public relations firm, where he served as SVP and held leadership positions in its corporate and consumer marketing departments, helping build the consumer practice to become an agency pillar. At MWW, he oversaw strategy for flagship clients that included Hillshire Brands, 1-800-FLOWERS.com, and The Palm Restaurant Group, among others. Mr. Cohen holds a bachelor's degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

About AXIS Capital

AXIS Capital is a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholders' equity at June 30, 2016 of $6.0 billion and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, Middle East, Canada and Latin America. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of "A+" ("Strong") by Standard & Poor's and "A+" ("Superior") by A.M. Best. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at www.axiscapital.com. Please be sure to follow AXIS Capital on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160922006172/en/

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