Interview with Tsvetelina Mihailova, CEO of Axiom in Vagabond magazine, March 2025
Building a recognisable new brand on the highly competitive insurance market is difficult – but possible. Tsvetelina Mihaylova, Chairperson of the BoDs and CEO of Axiom IC, knows this well. Before joining Axiom in 2022, she has dedicated her entire professional life to building an outstanding expertise in insurance. Her professional career kicked off at Bulstrad Vienna Insurance Company, then she held various management positions at HDI Insurance, Tokuda Health Insurance and Bulgaria Insurance. Mrs Mihaylova also holds a Master's degree in Insurance and Insurance Management.
What are your strongest leadership qualities – and how have they helped you to be a successful manager in the insurance industry?
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with outstanding leaders and professionals in my field who I truly believe impacted and influenced my professional career. I do believe that you can't be a leader if you don't have bold ideas and a clear vision, if you aren't results oriented, directing and inspiring your team to achieve the set goals. Being decisive and proactive, visionary, hard-working, insightful and persistent – some of my strongest leadership qualities – have contributed to my success as an executive in the insurance industry. Being forward-thinking gives me the ability to anticipate future market trends and demands and to design strategic plans that steer the company in the right direction, as well as to adapt to changes and respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities.
You have worked in some of the well-known companies on the market. How did Axiom win you over to join them?
Insurance is my passion. The satisfaction I've gained from my work over the years hasn't come out of the blue, it's evolved with it. Axiom has attracted me both as a new opportunity for my further professional growth as well as a huge challenge. My first year as its CEO introduced me to many firsts – from hiring the right people and designing work processes to setting clear vision, goals and expectations for the future. Only managers who started to build a non-life insurance company, created products, expanded a portfolio and gained market share from a little known company on the market that used to specialise in health insurance, can understand it. But that didn't stop or scare me and my team, it gave us the extra drive to grow. I'm really happy because when you create something and you see it grow in front of your eyes, you feel really satisfied with your performance, and with what you've achieved.
You may read the whole interview here
