Zurich Financial Services Australia has named Matt Paterson as Chief Claims Officer for Australia and New Zealand.  

In the newly created role, Mr Paterson is responsible for the functions of claims teams across Zurich’s Retail Life, Group Life and General Insurance businesses, and he will report directly to CEO Justin Delaney.   

Mr Delaney says Mr Paterson’s role marks “an important structural change to our team and our business more broadly”.   

“Bringing our claims teams together into one collective function provides a unique opportunity to integrate and scale our claims management and service delivery functions,” Mr Delaney said.  

“More importantly, with representation on our senior leadership team, claims will have even greater visibility and focus to deliver improved experiences and efficiency for our individual and commercial customers.”   

The appointment follows the departure of Zurich’s Chief Claims Officer Life & Investments Suzi Leung, who is joining Hollard, while Chief Claims Officer General Insurance Tim Scott-Young’s position remains unchanged. Mr Scott-Young reports to Mr Paterson. 

Mr Paterson brings over two decades of senior leadership experience across financial services, customer services, telecommunications and consulting sectors. These include roles at IAG, TAL, ANZ, and most recently as Group COO for nib.    

He will be based in Sydney for the role.