John Alford
About John Alford
John Alford serves as the Head of Energy Property Underwriting North America at AXA XL, a position he has held since 2019. He has extensive experience in the insurance industry, having worked in various underwriting and risk engineering roles over several decades.
Current Role at AXA XL
John Alford serves as the Head of Energy Property Underwriting North America at AXA XL, a division of AXA. He has held this position since 2019, contributing to the underwriting of energy property risks across North America. His role involves overseeing underwriting strategies and ensuring compliance with industry standards while managing a team of professionals in the Calgary office.
Previous Experience at XL Catlin
Prior to his current role, John Alford worked at XL Catlin as the Head of Canadian Energy Underwriting from 2015 to 2018. During his three years in this position, he focused on developing underwriting policies and managing energy-related risks in the Canadian market. His experience at XL Catlin laid the groundwork for his current responsibilities in energy property underwriting.
Career Background in Risk Engineering and Consulting
John Alford has a diverse background in risk engineering and consulting. He began his career at Gerling as a Senior Risk Engineer from 1995 to 1999. He then transitioned to Aon Canada Intermediaries, where he served as a Senior Risk Consultant from 1999 to 2003. His roles in these positions involved assessing risks and providing strategic advice to clients in the energy sector.
Education and Expertise in Chemical Engineering
John Alford earned a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary, where he studied from 1986 to 1990. This educational background provides him with a solid foundation in engineering principles, which he applies in his underwriting and risk assessment roles within the energy industry.
Underwriting Experience Across Multiple Companies
Throughout his career, John Alford has accumulated extensive underwriting experience across various companies. He worked at Catlin as an Underwriter from 2008 to 2015, and prior to that, he was an Underwriter at GCAN Insurance Co. from 2006 to 2008, as well as at Gerling from 2003 to 2006. This breadth of experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the underwriting process and risk management in the energy sector.