Zurich promotes veterans to senior exec roles

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

14 July 2023

Zurich Financial Services Australia has announced two insurance veterans have been promoted to Head of General Insurance (GI), Australia & New Zealand and Head of Commercial Insurance (CI) & Chief Technical Officer (APAC).

The current Chief Risk Officer, Zurich Asia Pacific (APAC), Alex Morgan brings extensive experience to the general insurance leadership role having managed the GI Retail (SME) and Cover-More businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

He has also spent time in several global positions at Zurich, including Head of Specialty (APAC); Chief Underwriting Officer, Global Corporate (Japan); and Head of Financial Institutions and Management Liability (United Kingdom).

The current Head of GI, Australia & New Zealand, Sean Walker will step into the newly created role of Head of Commercial Insurance (CI) & Chief Technical Officer (APAC), with which he will join the Global CI Leadership Team and the Zurich Group Leadership Team.

Zurich’s previous Chief Underwriting Officer for General Insurance, Australia and New Zealand, Walker will relocate to Singapore and be responsible for developing regional GI strategy aligned with local markets while also improving Zurich’s underwriting and claims functions across APAC.

“I am very pleased to welcome Alex to our leadership team. As the only major composite – life and general – insurer in the market, this is a critical appointment,” Justin Delaney, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Australia & New Zealand, said.

“With a strong understanding of the local market, together with broad global and regional experience, Alex will bring both continuity and a fresh perspective as we seek to further advance our customer offering and competitive position.

“I want to also congratulate and thank Sean for his excellent leadership of the GI business in Australia & New Zealand. As testament to his extensive experience and deep expertise, Sean’s appointment represents both a fantastic professional opportunity and, more importantly, a meaningful and important strategic step for Zurich in the region.”

The appointments will commence from 1 August, with Morgan remaining in Sydney with the new role.