Zurich North America Thursday launched a specialties business unit led by former construction head Kelly Kinzer.
The business will cover construction, surety and financial lines, comprising over 500 employees.
Zurich will also combine its customer and distribution management function to be headed by John Diaz, previously head of U.S. middle-market underwriting.
Ms. Kinzer, head of specialties, and Mr. Diaz, head of customer distribution and management, will report to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn. They will join Zurich North America’s executive committee and the group leadership team.
Schaumburg, Illinois-based Ms. Kinzer started her career at Zurich in 2003 in the construction underwriting program. She worked in various roles at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Marsh & McLennan Cos Inc. and Willis Towers Watson PLC before rejoining Zurich in 2019. She was named head of construction in 2022.
Ms. Kinzer was a 2022 Business Insurance Women To Watch winner.
Mr. Diaz, who previously was chief operating officer for U.S. middle market, joined Zurich in 2008 from American International Group Inc.
Within specialties, Nora Hattauer will continue as head of financial lines, and Chris Nolan will continue as head of surety, Zurich said. Ms. Hattauer and Mr. Nolan will continue to report to Ms. Kinzer.
Head of Captives Dawn Hiestand and her team will move into U.S. middle market from U.S. national accounts, Zurich said. Ms. Hiestand will report to Alex Wells, head of U.S. middle market.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.