Christopher J. Swift

Swift, who was named CEO in 2014, was the driving force in the company’s transformation, resulting in a more focused, disciplined leader in property and casualty, group benefits and mutual funds. He expanded the company’s capabilities and geographic reach through organic growth and strategic investments, including the purchase of Aetna’s U.S. group life and disability business in 2017 and The Navigators Group, Inc., a specialty lines property and casualty business, in 2019. He also completed the company’s exit from the run-off life and annuity business, providing greater financial flexibility and improving The Hartford’s return on equity and earnings growth profile. The Hartford ranks highest among insurance companies on the 2024 JUST 100 list by independent research nonprofit JUST Capital and CNBC, marking the sixth consecutive year on the list. He has also appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg on a number of occasions.

 

As a long-time advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Swift is the foremost champion of The Hartford’s DEI initiatives, resulting in the company’s leading board diversity, improved executive representation and top-ranked company culture. Also, the company is a 2023 Catalyst Award winner, listed on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, and was named as a 2023 Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. In addition to his leadership within The Hartford, Swift has promoted DEI within the broader business community. He was an early signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge and serves on the Governing Committee for its Racial Equity Fellowship initiative. He is also a Catalyst CEO Champion for Change and has signed on to Paradigm for Parity, a coalition of business leaders committed to achieving gender parity at leadership levels by 2030.

 

Swift is at the forefront of CEOs encouraging employers to dispel stigma in the workplace and invest in employee mental health. Within the insurance industry and the business community more broadly, he advises business leaders to prioritize employee mental health, create inclusive workplaces and lead with empathy.

As The Hartford’s CEO, Swift is proud of our company’s legacy of making a positive impact in our communities and is strongly connected to the neighborhoods and businesses throughout our hometown. As a vocal advocate among the business community, he champions the City of Hartford’s revitalization and our company’s initiatives that advance equal economic, educational and workplace opportunities for our neighbors.

In addition to his work at The Hartford, Swift is committed to making an impact on important issues, serving on many boards where he can make a difference:

 

Swift joined The Hartford in March 2010 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In that position, he played a central role in the company’s strategic transformation to focus on the P&C, group benefits and mutual funds businesses. He was also instrumental in strengthening the balance sheet through the sale of its individual life and retirement plans businesses and reducing debt.
 
Previously, he held senior leadership and finance roles at American International Group (AIG). He began his career as a certified public accountant at KPMG LLP, focused on financial services and was eventually appointed head of the Global Insurance Industry Practice.
 
He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marquette University, where he is also a trustee.

 

Download Swift's Bio