The Hartford CEO and Chairman Christopher J. Swift

Swift 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. Named CEO in 2014, 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 appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg on several occasions.

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

Swift is at the forefront of CEOs encouraging employers to increase awareness about mental health and dispel stigma in the workplace. Within the insurance industry and the business community more broadly, he advises business leaders to commit to improving mental health at work, create stigma-free workplaces and lead with empathy.

Christopher Swift (top) and NAMI’s CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. hosted a discussion on mental health for The Hartford’s employees.

Overcoming Stigma That Prevents Care

Our research shows mental health is a significant workplace issue for U.S. employers and mental health stigma inhibits those in need from getting help. The Hartford collaborates with nonprofit partners National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Active Minds to help companies foster cultures that prioritize mental health and support the specific needs of the youngest generation in today’s workplace.

Read about Swift’s call to action for the business community in these blogs with the Milken Institute:

Championing Our Hometown

As The Hartford’s CEO, Swift is proud of our company’s legacy of making a positive impact in our communities. He 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.

A Commitment to Hartford

Driving Change in the Industry

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:

Board of directors for Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
Board of directors for Hartford HealthCare
Board of directors of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA)
Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose (CECP)
Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
The Geneva Association

Experienced Leader

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 property and casualty, 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, Swift 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.