Zurich Names Mike Kerner CEO of Its Global Corporate in North America Business Unit

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) today named Mike Kerner Chief Executive Officer of Zurich’s Global Corporate in North America business unit, effective June 1.

“In today’s ever changing commercial insurance market where sound risk management as well as disciplined underwriting and pricing is more vital than ever, we are very fortunate to have someone with Mike’s expertise and knowledge of Zurich’s operations take over the leadership of Global Corporate business for North America”

Kerner, 43, currently serves as Global Chief Underwriting Officer and Head of Group Strategy in Zurich, where he led the establishment of sophisticated pricing and risk selection methodologies and helped drive the development and implementation of the Group’s strategy. In his new position, he will be responsible for overseeing all Global Corporate business in North America. He replaces Mario Vitale, CEO of Global Corporate, who had been serving in the role on an ad interim basis since January 1, 2009.

“In today’s ever changing commercial insurance market where sound risk management as well as disciplined underwriting and pricing is more vital than ever, we are very fortunate to have someone with Mike’s expertise and knowledge of Zurich’s operations take over the leadership of Global Corporate business for North America,” said Vitale. “As Global Chief Underwriting Officer, he had extensive experience setting underwriting policy, and overseeing the underwriting and actuarial pricing processes for General Insurance – expertise that puts him in a strong position to succeed in his new role. I’m looking forward to working with Mike to continue bringing the best of our strong product portfolio to customers and continuing to deliver the expertise and dedication of our people in providing the most customer-centric service in the industry.”

Having served in a number of senior roles with the Zurich Financial Services Group and with Zurich North America Commercial since 1992, Kerner’s background includes extensive experience in underwriting, actuarial, operations, finance and reinsurance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from the State University of New York at Binghamton, and is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

About Zurich Financial Services Group

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.

About Zurich’s Global Corporate business division

Zurich’s Global Corporate (GC) business division offers risk management services to corporations at a national and international level, including risk transfer and risk finance solutions. With a global network of professionals in over 140 countries, GC provides companies with total risk management strategies and standards that ensure all our customers have access to the same high-quality service. GC insures many of Fortune’s Global 100 companies and is the largest corporate business insurer in Europe and the number two corporate insurer in the U.S.