Zurich establishes new corporate business unit in Asia-Pacific

December 21, 2007

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announced that it will expand its services for corporate customers into the Asia-Pacific region. The new business unit Global Corporate in Asia-Pacific (GCiAP) will be based in Hong Kong and will cover three regions: Japan, Greater China / South East Asia and Australasia. In these fast growing markets, GCiAP will lead the development of the corporate business through all lines of business focusing on corporate customers whose revenue is USD 250 million or higher. The unit will be led by Hugh Robson, CEO of GCiAP.

Global Corporate in Asia-Pacific aims to replicate the success Zurich Global Corporate has achieved in Europe and North America and to leverage Zurich's existing presence. Geoff Riddell, Chief Executive Officer for Zurich Global Corporate, said: "The establishment of a fully operational corporate business unit for selected countries in Asia-Pacific will support Zurich's profitable growth strategy by broadening our service offering and risk insight expertise to large domestic and global companies whose insurance and risk management needs often require quality and complex solutions in multiple territories."

Hugh Robson, CEO of GCiAP, said: "Zurich already has a strong presence in Asia-Pacific. By investing in and empowering staff in the region who understand the local markets, cultures and business practices, we demonstrate our commitment to meeting customer needs locally, while bringing to bear our global risk management expertise to ensure that customers experience the same level of service in Beijing as in New York."

GCiAP will closely collaborate with Zurich's International Businesses unit to benefit from its existing strong presence in the Asia-Pacific market.