Greco only name on Zurich’s chief exec shortlist – report

Mario Greco, currently chief executive of Italian insurance giant Generali, is the only name on the shortlist to replace Martin Senn as head of Zurich, according to a Swiss report.

Greco, an industry veteran, has not been formally appointed, but an insider has told Swiss paper SonntagsZeitung that it is merely a formality and that he will be announced as chief executive at the firm’s annual media conference on 11 February.

Speaking to SonntagsZeitung, the insider said: “Three names were shortlisted; Mario Greco, Mario Greco, and Mario Greco.”

Greco, who has been at Generali since 2012, was previously chief executive of Zuirch’s general insurance arm and has held positions at Allianz, Italian insurer RAS and consulting group McKinsey throughout his career.

The search for a new chief at Zurich comes after group chief executive Martin Senn stood down at year’s end after six years at the helm. His departure followed Zurich’s failed takeover of rival insurer RSA and a sharp drop in third-quarter profits.

The firm is currently being run by chairman Tom de Swaan until a replacement is found.