Christopher J. Swift is chairman and chief executive officer of The Hartford. He leads the execution of the company’s strategy and ongoing transformation, directs capital management actions and strategic investments, and oversees the continuous strengthening of the company’s leadership pipeline.
Under Swift’s leadership, The Hartford’s strategy for shareholder value creation remains consistent: 1) profitably grow the company’s focused portfolio of businesses, 2) further reduce the size and risk of the legacy variable annuity liabilities, and 3) transform the company to increase operating effectiveness and efficiency. Executing these elements will continue to build financial strength and flexibility, with the aim of generating greater value for shareholders.
Swift joined The Hartford in March 2010 and served as executive vice president and chief financial officer through June 2014. During his CFO tenure, he was responsible for finance, treasury, capital, accounting, and investor relations, and played a central role in the company’s financial turnaround and strategic transformation. Through a series of capital management actions, Swift strengthened the company’s finances and created greater capital flexibility. He also led the team that developed the company’s go-forward strategy, which resulted in a sharply focused company with fast-improving businesses as well as three divestitures whose execution was completed in nine months at attractive valuations. Most recently, Swift orchestrated the sale of The Hartford’s wholly-owned Japanese annuity subsidiary, a transaction that materially reduces the company’s risk profile. Throughout his tenure, Swift has been a leader of The Hartford’s diversity and inclusion culture and is a past executive sponsor of the company’s Professional Woman’s Network.
Previously, Swift held senior leadership and finance roles at American International Group (AIG). He began his career in public accounting at KPMG LLP focused on financial services, and was eventually appointed head of the Global Insurance Industry Practice.
Swift is a CPA and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Marquette University. He serves on the Dean's Advisory Board at the Villanova School of Business. In support of his commitment to the insurance industry, Swift serves on the boards of the American Insurance Association and the Insurance Information Institute, and is a member of the International Insurance Society. He is also a member of the Business Council, Financial Services Roundtable and the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. In support of creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce, Swift is also a board member of Catalyst, a leading non-profit that expands opportunities for women and business.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., usually known as The Hartford, is a United States-based investment and insurance company that is part of the Fortune 500 list. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, The Hartford's 2013 revenues were $26.2 billion. The company’s earnings are divided between property-and-casualty operations, group benefits and mutual funds.[2]
The Hartford is the 12th-largest property casualty company in the United States,[3] The Hartford sells its products primarily through a network of agents and brokers,[4] and has been the direct auto and home insurance writer for members of AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons) for more than 25 years.[5]
