Zurich restructures North America commercial insurance unit; reshuffles leadership

Zurich has re-organised and re-branded its new North America commercial insurance unit with immediate effect to "simplify structure" and provide a single point of entry for commercial customers.

The new unit, which will be headed by Paul Horgan, brings together the former commercial markets and the former global corporate in North America.

Horgan will report to Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America and James Shea, CEO of commercial insurance globally for Zurich.

"This simplified approach builds on our collective strengths and reinforces our position as a leading global insurance provider," said Horgan.

"Our new unit will service and support our multinational customers, as well as utilize our experience and expertise to deliver local solutions to our middle-market customers."

Following the restructuring, the new North America commercial insurance has been aligned into four business segments - property, casualty, construction and middle markets.

Zurich global corporate's property head Richard Montminy has been given the role of leading the property segment, based in New York.

Brandon Fick, currently the head of casualty for Zurich global corporate, will now lead the casualty segment for the new unit, based in Philadelphia.

Marcus Cooper, the leader for the south region in the commercial markets unit of Zurich North America, will head the middle markets segment, based in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The west region leader in the commercial markets unit, David Levinson, will take the position of president and chief agent of Zurich Canada, based in Toronto.

Lastly, continuing in his previous role of chief risk engineering officer, Thomas Fioretti will be responsible for the development and delivery of risk engineering's risk management and loss prevention services. He will be based in New York.

The company recently  announced the move to combine its life and general insurance units under a single leadership team in the UK, removing around 240 jobs from the UK back office and non-market facing areas.

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