CORRECTED-Neal to join AIG as president

By David Bull

July 16 - (The Insurer) - Former Lloyd’s CEO John Neal is joining AIG as president to lead the carrier’s general insurance organisation, which includes its North America and international commercial insurance businesses as well as global personal insurance.

AIG’s chief underwriting office will report to Neal when he takes up the position on December 1, 2025. He will also become a member of AIG’s executive committee.

Neal had previously been set to move to Aon to take up the position of CEO of global reinsurance and global chair of climate solutions, which would have been effective from September 1.

His move to AIG instead comes with the support of Aon’s leadership and with alignment between the companies on the switch, said sources with knowledge of the situation.

His arrival is expected to free up AIG chairman and CEO Peter Zaffino to focus on driving the next phase of organic and inorganic growth at the company after the successful turnaround of its underwriting performance.

This will include strategic initiatives, as well as significant engagement with key external shareholders, optimising AIG's capital management and investment strategies, evolving further its reinsurance positioning, and investing in data, digital and tech initiatives while overseeing the company's operational and functional teams, according to a note from Zaffino to colleagues seen by The Insurer.

Neal will have offices in New York and London, with AIG’s CEO of North America commercial insurance Don Bailey, CEO for international commercial insurance Jon Hancock and global CUO Chris Flatt reporting to him.

In a statement, Zaffino described Neal, who he has known for more than 20 years, as being recognised as “one of the most accomplished insurance executives in the industry”.

“His appointment adds significant depth, global underwriting experience, and talent to our leadership team. I am confident that John will continue to enhance our culture of underwriting excellence.

“I look forward to working with him as we continue to drive profitable, sustainable growth and further strengthen our relationships with our valued clients and partners across the industry,” said Zaffino.

Neal, who is also the former group CEO of QBE, said: “AIG is an iconic, global insurance industry leader, recognized for the deep technical expertise of its team and its remarkable strategic repositioning.

“I am honored to take on the role of president and look forward to working closely with Peter and AIG’s talented colleagues around the world on behalf of our clients and stakeholders.”

In a statement, Aon president and CEO Greg Case said: "We wish John Neal great success in his new role and look forward to working with him at AIG. Global Solutions CEO Andy Marcell and our industry-leading reinsurance team are strongly positioned to continue to innovate on behalf of our clients.”

Separately, Aon on Wednesday announced a number of senior appointments in its reinsurance business, including Alfonso Valera as CEO of international, Steve Hofmann as CEO of Americas, George Attard as global head of strategy and Tomas Novotny as chairman of international.

Neal was CEO of Lloyd’s from 2018 to 2025.