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Zurich Australia has shaken up its leadership structure to enhance its core focus on the commercial intermediated insurance market.
A new executive role of chief distribution and deal management officer has been created, to be filled by Giles Crowley, current head of commercial insurance. Sean Walker, chief underwriting officer, will take charge of Zurich’s commercial insurance portfolio, in addition to his continued oversight of Zurich’s SME proposition, while Hillary Bates’ remit will expand to include operations alongside her current role as chief claims officer. Wilson Varghese, head of operations, will be appointed to another role within Zurich, to be announced in due course.
“Our simplified structure will make us a stronger and more deeply connected insurer, one that’s better able to anticipate the rapidly evolving needs of our broker partners and customers,” said Tim Plant, Zurich’s general insurance CEO. “Our focus will continue to be the commercial intermediated insurance sector, and today’s changes will strengthen this focus. From today, we will place even greater emphasis on our state and regional presence and empower our local teams to trade and make decisions closer to our customers. This new structure positions these proven leaders to accelerate the improvements and momentum that we’ve seen across our business in recent years, and ensure that we are bringing timely, relevant solutions and insights to our broker partners and customers.”
The changes will also see Steven Ord, chief distribution officer, depart the business.
Ord “has been at the forefront of driving Zurich’s broker engagement strategy, and he leaves a proud legacy in terms of the capability he has developed across the team,” Plant said.
