Kristof Terryn

CEO Europe, Middle East and Global Head Retail

Nationality:Swiss and Belgian

Born: 1967

Skills and experience

Kristof Terryn has served as CEO Europe, Middle East and Global Head Retail since January 2026. Before this, he was CEO North America from January 2021. Earlier, he served as Group Chief Operating Officer (COO), taking on the role in July 2016 after serving as CEO General Insurance since October 2015. In September 2013, he became CEO Global Life. Mr. Terryn became a member of the Executive Committee in 2010 upon his appointment as Group Head Operations. Previously, he was COO for General Insurance from January 2009, and COO for the Global Corporate business division starting in 2007. He began his Zurich career in the Finance department in 2004. Before joining Zurich, Mr. Terryn worked at McKinsey & Company in Brussels and Chicago, holding various positions within the financial services practice from 1997. He started his career in 1993 in banking, working in capital markets.

External appointments

Mr. Terryn is a board member of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Illinois Economic Development Corporation, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, and St. John’s School of Risk Management. He is also a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the CEO Leadership Council of the Global Business Alliance.