Chris Gillies (50, UK citizen), currently Head of the IFA/Brokers distribution channel for Global Life, has been appointed to the newly created position of Head of Growth and Strategic Marketing for Global Life, with immediate effect. In his new role, Mr. Gillies will lead the delivery of Zurich’s growth and strategic marketing initiatives for Global Life. He will report to Mario Greco, CEO of Global Life.
After graduating from the University of Bristol, UK with a joint honors degree in modern languages, Mr. Gillies qualified as a chartered accountant and worked for KPMG. He joined Zurich in 1998 as Managing Director of Zurich Life in the UK. Prior to that, he held various senior management positions in Finance, Distribution, Business Development and Mergers & Acquisitions within British American Financial Services, working for Allied Dunbar and Eagle Star in both the UK and Asia. In his most recent role as Head of IFA/Brokers for Zurich Global Life, Mr. Gillies was responsible for developing and implementing the distribution strategy and business plan for that channel.
Marcus Nagel (42, German citizen) has been appointed Head of IFA/Brokers for Global Life, effective October 1, 2008. He will succeed Chris Gillies (see above). In his new role, he will focus on developing new markets and leveraging existing markets to reach Zurich’s IFA/Broker distribution aspirations for Global Life. He will report to Mario Greco, CEO of Global Life, and will be located in Zurich, Switzerland.
Mr. Nagel joins Zurich from KWF Business Consultants where he has been consulting with DZ BANK on a new business strategy and operating model for the private banking division. Prior to this role, he served in a variety of executive management positions with Commerzbank from 1994 to 2007. During his tenure at Commerzbank he was main board director of Jupiter International Group, CEO of Skarbiec Asset Management Holding, and Chief Investment Officer for Skarbiec Investment Fund Company. Mr. Nagel graduated from Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and holds a MBA from the Garvin School of International Management in Arizona, USA.
Joe Kessler (45, US citizen) has been appointed to the newly created position of Head of Tied Agent Distribution for Global Life, with immediate effect. In his new role, he will be accountable to strengthen and further develop the distribution strategy including sales and marketing initiatives for the tied agent distribution channel of Global Life. He brings a variety and wealth of distribution experience from different types of channels. He will report to Mario Greco, CEO of Global Life, and will be located in Zurich, Switzerland.
Mr. Kessler began his insurance career at Ohio State Life Insurance in Columbus, USA, with a broker distribution channel and was Director of Sales in his last position. In 1996, he joined Farmers Insurance Group as Marketing Manager. From 2000 to 2004 he served as Director of Life Marketing and Sales. From 2005 until 2007 he held the position of Marketing Director for Openwork, Zurich’s multi-tied distribution network in the UK. In 2007 he was appointed as Head of Communications and Marketing of Zurich Global Life. Mr. Kessler graduated from the Ohio State University and holds a MBA in business administration focusing on strategic management and finance from the Graduate School of Business in Los Angeles, USA.
These appointments relate to Global Life’s growth strategy, communicated in May 2008, of focusing on three global distribution channels, targeting three specific global customer groups and centralizing core capabilities.
