Zurich, November 7, 2002 - Zurich Financial Services has today announced the appointment of Lawrence Churchill as Chief Executive of its UK, Irish and International Life Businesses.
Lawrence joins from Unum Provident, the world leader in disability insurance, where he was Chairman and Managing Director of its UK division. Lawrence has significant experience of the UK Life market, having previously been Managing Director of NatWest Life and Investments, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Allied Dunbar. He has also served on the boards of the Personal Investment Authority, the PIA Ombudsman Council and The Association of British Insurers.
Lawrence will report to Sandy Leitch, member of the Group Executive Committee and Chief Executive of the UK, Ireland, Southern Africa (UKISA) and Asia/Pacific Business Division.
Commenting on the appointment, Sandy Leitch said, "Zurich is very well placed in the UK Life market, with a powerful multi-channel distribution strategy and a clear commitment to face-to-face advice. I know Lawrence will provide the strong leadership required to take full advantage of the excellent opportunities, both in the UK and in the Irish and International markets."
Lawrence Churchill added, "The UK financial services industry is undergoing massive change and this in itself presents exciting opportunities. I’m delighted to be joining Zurich to lead their UK, Irish and International Life businesses through these significant changes."
Notes to Editors:
1. This appointment is subject to formal regulatory approval.
2. Photographs of Lawrence Churchill are available.
CV Lawrence Churchill
Personal
Born: Birkenhead, England 5th August 1946
Married: Karen, 7th September 1991
Educated: Birkenhead School
St John’s College, Oxford
Degree: Master of Arts ("Greats" – a course in classics and philosophy)
Career
1969 – 1973 Procter & Gamble
Systems Analyst
1973 – 1991 Hambro Life Assurance (Later changed to Allied Dunbar Assurance)
Career through the systems field.
Appointed to Group Main Board in 1985.
1991 – 1998 National Westminster Bank
Initially Chief Executive of NatWest Life and Chairman of NatWest
Unit Trusts.
Responsibility expanded to include Portfolio Managers, Regulated Sales,
and Stockbrokers (Chairman 1995-1998)
1998 – 2002 Unum Limited
Chairman and Managing Director
Industry, Public Service and Affiliations
Association of British Insurers
Life Insurance Council 1993 – 1996 and 2000-; Board Member 1996 – 1998
Chairman, Industry Standards Group 2000 - 2002
Financial Ombudsman Service
Non Executive Director 2002 –
Personal Investment Authority
Board Member 1994 – 1997; Audit Committee 1995 – 1997; Effectiveness Committee 1994 – 1997
PIA Ombudsman Bureau
Director 1994 – 1997; Council Member 1994 – 1995;
Royal Society of Arts
Fellow 1996; Chairman of RSA Bristol 1997-; Fellowship and External Affairs Committee 1998
Board of Trustees 2000 – 2002; Chairman, Programme Committee 2000 – 2002
Business in the Community
Leadership Team – Employee Volunteering 1996 – 1998; Chairman RfO South West 1996 – 1998; National Leadership Team; Cares Incorporated 2000-; Chairman of Surrey Cares 2000-
University of West of England
Bristol Business School – Advisory Committee 1994 - 2000
Employers’ Forum on Disability
Board Member 2000-
Other Affiliations
Fellow of Institute of Directors; Member of Institute of Management, Member of British Computer Society
Interests
Sports: Football, Rugby, Athletics, Bridge (now spectator only!)
Arts: Music, Opera, Ballet
