Zurich Financial Services Australia has appointed Geoff Summerhayes as Chairman, a year after the former Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) Executive Board Member joined as a director. 

Mr Summerhayes will also chair Zurich’s other related corporate entities, Zurich said in a statement today. He has previously served as an Independent Non-Executive Director on each of these boards since January last year. 

He commenced his new roles at the start of this month. 

Mr Summerhayes has extensive experience across the insurance, financial services and regulatory landscape, including as Suncorp Life chief executive, National Australia Bank regional GM and MLC Superannuation and Investments chief executive. 

“Zurich occupies a unique position as a composite – life and general – insurer and my focus as Chair will be to continue to work with our executive team, led by CEO Justin Delaney, as we evolve Zurich's proposition and operations for the benefit of our customers and employees,” Mr Summerhayes said. 

“I am particularly proud of Zurich's commitment, both globally and locally, to achieving critical sustainability outcomes and I look forward to supporting the delivery of this agenda.” 

Zurich says in the same statement that former AIG local CEO Noel Condon and consulting expert Mary Waldron have been appointed as Independent Non-Executive Directors of Zurich and its other related corporate entities. 

Nicolette Rubinsztein has also been named as Independent Non-Executive Director of Zurich Australian Insurance, in addition to her existing directorships of other Zurich corporate entities. 

Zurich says the appointments follow the resignations of former Chairman Paul Bedbrook and Non-Executive Director Elaine Collins last month.