Global insurance company accelerates roll-out of digital offering, announces key leadership appointments
Swiss insurance company, Zurich has hires Ericson Chan, CEO at Ping An Technology, to take up position of group chief information and digital officer, starting in October, to speed digital transformation and develop technology solutions for the organisation.
Chan will spearhead the planning, development and operation of the technology functions and online ecosystems in the new role.
Zurich group CEO Mario Greco said this step will help the insurance company reach its goals of becoming our customers’ preferred insurer.
“As lifestyles change globally, consumers seek personalised, convenient and transparent interactions,” he said. “Zurich continues to launch innovative offerings to meet the demands of our customers and partners for a fully digital and streamlined experience.”
During his four years as CEO of Ping An Technology (based in Hong Kong), Chan helped to transform the Ping An Group’s business model and online ecosystems through digital services including a range of financial products and platforms.
Between 1998 and 2016, Chan held several technology leadership roles at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore. Achievements include the development of a disruptive mobile banking platform and innovative services in 22 countries. He also has six years of healthtech experience gained in the U.S.
Chan also joins Zurich in October as a member of the group executive committee. His remit will also include responsibility for all of Zurich’s IT operations and services.
To support the execution of a successful group-wide transformation, Zurich is appointing Kathleen Savio, currently CEO North America, to the newly created role of group chief transformation officer, effective January 2021.
After successfully repositioning the business in North America and increasing its strength and resilience, Savio will be responsible for accelerating business organisation and governance, further developing the cultural transformation across Zurich and ensuring the Group effectively delivers on its commitments. This includes the evolution towards a sustainable, purpose-driven company.
Following these appointments, Zurich has also changed its regional leadership. New CEOs have been appointed in Latin America effective October 2020 and in the North America and APAC regions, effective January 2021.
Tulsi Naidu will take over as CEO APAC and was previously Zurich’s CEO in the UK since 2016. As UK CEO, Naidu has reshaped and simplified the business, improved technical and digital capabilities and strengthened the team, resulting in Zurich’s UK business returning to strong growth with improved profitability and high customer, distributor and employee satisfaction.
