Why Operations Is the Ultimate Growth Engine in Insurance | Ann Haugh

Making Risk Flow | The Future of Insurance

Making Risk Flow | The Future of Insurance
Why Operations Is the Ultimate Growth Engine in Insurance | Ann Haugh
Jul 29, 2026 Season 8 Episode 27
Cytora

What if operational excellence wasn't about cutting costs, but about unlocking your organization's true potential?

In this episode of Making Risk Flow, Juan de Castro speaks with Ann Haugh, Group Chief Operations Officer at Axis Capital, about why operations should be viewed as a strategic growth engine rather than a cost center. Ann shares how Axis transformed its operating model to improve efficiency while scaling the business, the importance of building cross-functional talent, and how leaders can create alignment across technology, data, and underwriting. 

She also explores the role of AI in specialty insurance, explaining how automation can enhance employee experience, empower underwriters to make better decisions, and help organizations grow with greater speed, clarity, and resilience.

Ann Haugh is Group Chief Operations Officer at Axis Capital and a global (re)insurance leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning strategy, underwriting, operations, and general management. She has led transformational programs, improved underwriting performance, driven profitable growth, and built high-performing teams worldwide, earning a reputation for inspirational leadership, innovation, and delivering lasting business impact.

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Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.

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