Zurich, November 29, 2007 – Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announces changes to its Global Corporate and Europe General Insurance Claims leadership:
Jutta Kath, (47, German), currently Chief Claims Officer for Global Corporate, was appointed to the position of Chief Claims Officer for Europe General Insurance, effective December 1, 2007. In her new role, Jutta will oversee the claims operations in ten European countries where Zurich writes personal lines and small and midsize commercial business. She will be succeeded by Chris Barnes (see below). Jutta will report to Annette Court, CEO Europe General Insurance, and Christian Orator, Zurich’s Global Chief Claims Officer, and will be based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Jutta joined Zurich as Chief Claims Officer for Global Corporate on March 1, 2007. Prior to that she had led the group reinsurance general insurance unit at the Winterthur Group and held several global underwriting, claims management and operational positions at Zurich Re/Converium, Hannover Re and HDI.
Jutta holds a law degree from the University of Regensburg, Germany. She is a fully qualified lawyer and received part of her legal education in the US (Tulane Law School, New Orleans).
Chris Barnes, (54, American), previously Senior Vice President of Claims Field Operations for North America Commercial, was appointed to the position of Chief Claims Officer for Global Corporate, effective December 1, 2007. In his new role, Chris will oversee the claims function for the Global Corporate in Europe business unit and continue to collaborate with the claims functions of North America Commercial, International Businesses and Europe General Insurance. He will succeed Jutta Kath (see above). Chris will report to Geoff Riddell, CEO Global Corporate Business, and Christian Orator, Zurich’s Global Chief Claims Officer, and will be based in Zurich, Switzerland, as well as Philadelphia and New York City.
Chris has more than 25 years of insurance experience. He joined Zurich as Senior Vice President of Claims Field Operations for North America Commercial in 2003. Prior to that, he held a variety of positions with Reliance Insurance in both claims and staff legal and with CIGNA/ACE USA.
Chris holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law and is a graduate of the Duquesne University. He also completed the Advanced Executive Education Program at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
