A number of changes have been made to the general insurance arm of Zurich Australia as it seeks ways to build on its success in the SME space.

Shaun Feely has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, marking a return to home turf following a spell overseas.

Mr Feely moves back to Sydney after serving as head of strategic planning and business execution at Zurich in Hong Kong since last July.

Zurich CEO General Insurance Australia and New Zealand Daniel Fogarty says Mr Feely “really understands the market”.

Current Chief Operations Officer Elizabeth Taylor will continue to report to Mr Fogarty, while other opportunities within the company for her are identified.

In other moves at Zurich Australia, Bobby Lehane has been appointed EGM Commercial, a widened role that takes in SMEs and mid-size clients.

He switches from the position of EGM SME, which he held since July 2012.

“We have invested heavily in the SME space for the past four to five years and we’re now the largest provider of insurance to SMEs in Australia,” Mr Fogarty said.

EGM Corporate Nigel Whyatt is leaving Zurich.

GM Customer and Distribution Management Kai Dwyer becomes Head of International Sales and Distribution, taking a specialist role as Zurich builds its international programs business.

Zurich’s Asia-Pacific General Insurance CEO Stuart Spencer says he has looked at the company with “a pair of fresh eyes” since taking up his role at the end of last year.

He believes the corporate changes will help the group concentrate on expanding its underwriting margins.

Japan and Australia make up 70% of Zurich’s Asia-Pacific market, and there is “room to grow” in Australia and New Zealand, Mr Spencer says.

“There are always more entrants into the market space who need insurance or who want more insurance.”

Zurich has a “long-term commitment to Australia” – a point he says was made by group CEO Martin Senn when he met Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Switzerland in January.

Mr Spencer says recent free trade deals in Asia will open doors for Australian businesses.

Zurich is to cut 800 jobs globally to contain costs, but Mr Fogarty says this will not affect the 1200 staff in Australia. “That’s not a focus here.”

He says Zurich Australia will continue to innovate in areas such as cyber-risk, which is “a big issue”.

Mr Fogarty recently briefed the Hong Kong market on moves to bring US cyber-risk experts to Australia to tailor solutions for local companies.