Zurich Insurance Group has announced a series of key leadership appointments and new Executive Committee members, while also launching a new unit to expand its digital services worldwide.
The Global Business Platforms unit will be headed by current APAC CEO Jack Howell as of January 1, 2021.
Ericson Chan will spearhead the development and operation of the technology functions and online ecosystems as the newly appointed Group Chief Information and Digital Officer. He is currently CEO of Ping An Technology.
Chan has spent the last four years as CEO of Ping An Technology, where he helped to transform online ecosystems through digital services including a range of financial products and platforms.
He joins Zurich on October 1st as a member of the Group Executive Committee, and his remit will also include responsibility for all of Zurich’s IT operations and services.
“Beyond the younger generations who have long valued the convenience of online services, demand has broadened significantly in recent months throughout our customer base,” said Zurich CEO Mario Greco.
“Jack has significant experience in insurance and is skilled at launching innovative products and services, and Ericson brings a passion for fintech and using emerging technology to deliver what people want. This is the perfect combination to bring extra momentum to our customer-led strategy.”
Additionally, Zurich is appointing Kathleen Savio, currently CEO North America, to the newly created role of Group Chief Transformation Officer, effective January 1, 2021.
Savio will be responsible for accelerating business organization and governance, further developing the cultural transformation across Zurich and ensuring the Group delivers on its sustainability commitments.
Following these appointments, Zurich is also announcing changes in its regional leadership, which include new CEOs in Latin America effective October 1st, and in the North America and APAC regions, effective January 1st, 2021.
Firstly, Kristof Terryn will succeed Savio as CEO North America. He joined Zurich in 2004 and became Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2016 following roles as head of Global Life and General Insurance.
Next, Tulsi Naidu will take over as CEO APAC. She has been Zurich’s CEO in the UK since 2016. As UK CEO, Naidu has helped to simplify the business, while improving technical and digital capabilities.
Furthermore, Laurence Maurice will join Zurich as CEO LatAm. Her experience includes seven years as Chief Financial Officer of Allianz’s Brazilian and South American operations and most recently as the company’s CEO Spain and Southern Europe.
Maurice succeeds Claudia Dill, who has decided to step down from the role and will leave Zurich immediately.
“On behalf of all my colleagues at Zurich,” Greco continued. “I would like to thank Claudia for her valuable contribution to Zurich’s success over the past years. I am delighted to welcome Ericson, Laurence and Tulsi to the Executive Committee. Their diversity of backgrounds and cultures further strengthens our ability to lead the transformation of insurance.”
In addition to these new appointments, the Zurich Group Executive Committee will comprise CEO Mario Greco; Chief Investment Officer, Urban Angehrn; CEO Farmers Group, Jeff Dailey; Chief Risk Officer, Peter Giger; CEO EMEA & Bank Distribution, Alison Martin; Chief Financial Officer, George Quinn; and CEO Commercial Insurance, James Shea.
Finally, Zurich has appointed Katja Roth Pellanda as its new Group General Counsel to lead the legal team, effective October 1st.
Roth Pellanda joined Zurich from Novartis as Deputy Group General Counsel in April and will succeed Yannick Hausmann in her new role, who is leaving the company after 12 years but will remain engaged as a Senior Advisor to the Group CEO.
