In a significant leadership recalibration poised to reshape its global commercial insurance landscape, American International Group has officially announced the return of a seasoned executive to its highest ranks. The global insurance provider has appointed Adam Clifford as the new Chief Executive Officer of its International Commercial Insurance division, a tenure set to commence on January 5, 2026. This strategic move places Clifford in London, where he will report directly to Jon Hancock, the CEO of General Insurance, and will also become a member of the AIG General Insurance Executive Leadership Team. This appointment is more than a simple executive shuffle; it represents a deliberate and forward-looking strategy by AIG to consolidate its international commercial operations under a single, highly experienced leader. By bringing a proven industry veteran back into the fold, AIG signals its intent to aggressively pursue growth and operational excellence across its vast and complex international markets, capitalizing on current momentum to fortify its position as a global insurance powerhouse.
A Strategic Vision for Global Operations
Clifford’s new role is defined by its immense scope and strategic importance, granting him comprehensive oversight of AIG’s International Commercial Insurance operations. His mandate will encompass the full spectrum of business activities, including underwriting, distribution, and overall performance across a diverse and geographically expansive portfolio. This territory includes the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Japan, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Such a broad remit requires a leader capable of navigating distinct regulatory environments, economic conditions, and cultural nuances. In addition to his regional responsibilities, Clifford’s purview will specifically include the Talbot, Global Specialty, and Multinational business segments—critical components of AIG’s specialized insurance offerings. His primary challenge will be to harmonize these varied operations into a cohesive, efficient, and growth-oriented global unit, ensuring that AIG can effectively leverage its scale while maintaining the agility needed to compete at a local level.
A Veteran’s Homecoming to Drive Momentum
With nearly three decades of global leadership experience, Adam Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and a deep understanding of the insurance landscape to his new position. He is rejoining AIG from Everest Insurance, where he served as Senior Vice President and Head of International Retail Insurance. His distinguished career is further highlighted by senior leadership roles at Chubb, where he was notably the Managing Director of Chubb European Group, and an earlier, formative period at AIG where he led underwriting teams. This return is viewed as a homecoming for an executive who understands the company’s culture and operational DNA. Jon Hancock, CEO of General Insurance, lauded Clifford as a highly respected executive with deep underwriting expertise and an exceptional track record, expressing enthusiasm for his return. Clifford himself stated he is delighted to rejoin AIG during a period of impressive momentum, outlining his goals to collaborate with global teams to drive growth, increase market share, strengthen broker relationships, and attract top-tier talent. This appointment was ultimately a strategic decision aimed at leveraging a veteran’s insight to build on recent successes and propel AIG’s international ambitions forward.
