AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital") (NYSE: AXS) today announced that it has appointed David Smith as CEO and Country Manager of Australia Operations.

Mr. Smith is based in Sydney and reports to Mark Gregory, CEO International Division, AXIS Insurance, who said, "I am delighted to welcome David Smith to AXIS Insurance. David has over 30 years experience in the financial services industry in Australia and New Zealand, and is well positioned to lead our continued expansion into the Australian marketplace, building on the success we have achieved to date."

In welcoming Mr. Smith to AXIS, Jack Gressier, Chairman of AXIS Insurance said, "I am confident that our Australian insurance operations will continue to thrive under David's direction, and we look forward to his contributions to the further growth and success of our global insurance franchise. We are delighted to welcome him to the team."

Mr. Smith joins AXIS Capital from Zurich Financial Services Australia LTD where he served as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Zurich Financial Services Australia in 2006, he served as Chief Executive Officer at IAG (New Zealand).

Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.

About AXIS Capital

AXIS Capital is a Bermuda-based global provider of specialty lines insurance and treaty reinsurance with shareholders' equity at September 30, 2011 of $5.4 billion and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, Canada and Australia. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of "A+" ("Strong") with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor's and "A" ("Excellent") with a positive outlook by A.M. Best. AXIS Capital and AXIS Specialty Finance LLC have been assigned senior unsecured debt ratings of A- (stable) by Standard & Poor's and Baa1 (stable) by Moody's Investors Service. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at www.axiscapital.com.

Investor:
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited
Linda Ventresca, 441-405-2727
investorrelations@axiscapital.com
or
Media:
Kekst and Company
Michael Herley, 212-521-4897
michael-herley@kekst.com