Zurich in UKGI restructure

Zurich’s UK general insurance chief executive Stephen Lewis has shaken up the structure of the insurer's UKGI business.

From 1 January 2011, the UKGI business will operate through three units - commercial broker, personal lines and Zurich Municipal - each led by a fully accountable managing director.

• Commercial Broker, led by managing director Dave Smith, will be accountable for growth and development of commercial lines across SME and corporate business, including construction & engineering, real estate, professional & financial lines, and community & social organisations.
• Personal lines, led by managing director Karl Bedlow, is bringing together Zurich UK’s direct, personal lines broker, marine & boat and high net worth business. Bedlow joins the UKGI executive team from his previous role as head of pricing and product development in Zurich’s European direct business.
• Zurich Municipal, led by managing director Rob Allison (until his retirement in March 2011 when, as previously announced, Anne Torry will assume the role) continues to focus on providing public sector insurance and risk management advice.

All three unit bosses will report directly to Lewis. Their responsibilities will extend across all functions of the business from sales through to claims settlement.

Lewis said: "Our new UKGI structure focuses firmly on our customers, with our people having a sense of empowerment and accountability within their businesses. Bringing our personal lines businesses back together - alongside commercial broker and Zurich Municipal - is a great opportunity to get a coordinated approach to this vital market area."

He added: “We remain committed to all our existing business areas and we are targeting profitable, sustainable growth in them all. Our new market facing units covering commercial broker, personal lines and public sector business provide us with an ideal structure to enable us to succeed in the UK insurance market.”