Zurich has been enhancing its US distribution network across key regions over the past year. Credit: JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock.

Zurich North America has established a new Specialties business unit by integrating its Construction, Surety and Financial Lines businesses.  

Kelly Kinzer, the former head of construction, will head this unit.  

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Zurich is also consolidating its customer and distribution management (CDM) function under the leadership of John Diaz, previously the head of US Middle Market Underwriting. 

Zurich has been enhancing its US distribution network across key regions over the past year. 

Both Kinzer and Diaz will report to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn. 

Within the Specialties unit, Nora Hattauer will continue to oversee Financial Lines, and Chris Nolan will maintain his role at the helm of Surety, both reporting to Kinzer.  

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Meanwhile, Dawn Hiestand, head of Captives, along with her team, will transition into the US Middle Market from US National Accounts, reporting to Alex Wells, head of US Middle Market. 

This overhaul is in line with Zurich Insurance’s latest three-year business plan, unveiled during Zurich Investor Day 2024 in November.  

Both Kinzer and Diaz have been appointed to the Zurich North America executive committee and the group leadership team, with their new roles effective immediately. 

Kinzer’s career at Zurich began in the construction underwriting training programme.  

She also held senior positions at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Marsh & McLennan and Willis Towers Watson, before returning to Zurich in 2019. 

Diaz, with a 16-year stint at Zurich, has a background in operations, finance and distribution, including leadership roles at AIG, before joining Zurich.  

Terryn said: “These adjustments to our structure will position us to seize more opportunities for growth, simplification and innovation in North America, building on our strong results over the past three years. Kelly is the right person to lead the new Specialties unit, as she has successfully presided over strong growth in our market-leading Construction business over the past three-plus years. 

“Similarly, John is a natural choice to lead the unified CDM function, as his work in Middle Market and National Accounts in recent years has focused extensively on bringing us closer to our distributors and customers in key markets and streamlining how we operate and deliver for them.”