Zurich appoints Head of Bancassurance & Direct
Zurich Financial Services Australia (Zurich) has announced the appointment of Kieran Forde to the newly-created executive role of head of bancassurance & direct within its Life and Investments business, effective November 2018.
Forde joins Zurich from ANZ, following the acquisition of the OnePath life insurance business. His appointment comes ahead of the full Zurich executive leadership restructure which will come into effect on 1 April 2019.
In his new role, Forde will be responsible for Zurich's strategic partnership with ANZ and direct distribution channel, including the Zurich website and third-party partnerships.
Forde has more than 30 years' financial services experience, most recently as head of wealth solutions & partnerships at ANZ, where he had responsibility for managing the partnerships with Zurich & IOOF. Before this, he was general manager of ANZ's private banking business in New Zealand, and head of bank distribution for ANZ's wealth business in New Zealand, before moving to Australia in 2014 to lead ANZ's financial planning business.
In welcoming him to Zurich Life & Investments, CEO, Tim Bailey, said: "[Kieran] brings strong leadership and relationship management skills, as well as deep financial services knowledge and expertise, and will be an important addition to Zurich as we look to optimise our partnership with ANZ, and our broader Direct strategy, as part of a multi-channel presence."
