XL Group Adds The Hartford's Ex-Chair and CEO

XL Group plc announced yesterday that Ramani Ayer has joined the company’s Board of Directors.

Ayer is the former chairman and CEO of The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., who retired in October 2009 after spending more than 12 years in those roles. During that time, XL says Ayer built The Hartford into a recognized leader in property/casualty insurance and life and investment products.

“We welcome Ramani to the XL Board," says XL’s Chairman Robert Glauber. "His vast knowledge and industry experience complement the existing expertise of the Board and will benefit the Company as XL continues to build on its solid foundation, global platform, and depth of underwriting talent.”

During his 36-year career with The Hartford, Ayer held progressively senior roles including staff assistant to The Hartford’s chairman and CEO from 1979 to 1980, EVP of Hartford Reinsurance Management Co. from 1980 to 1984, president of Hartford Specialty Co. from 1984 to 1990, and president of Hartford Property Casualty Co. from 1990 to 1997.

Further to his contributions at The Hartford, Ayer is the former chairman of the American Insurance Association, the Property & Casualty CEO Roundtable and the Insurance Services Office. He is currently a member and past chairman of the Hartford Hospital, as well as a board member of the Maharishi University Management and the David Lynch Foundation.