Zurich has appointed Tulsi Naidu as Asia Pacific CEO, with Jack Howell moving on to run a new global unit to expand digital services.

Australia sits within Asia Pacific, and CEO General Insurance Australia and New Zealand Tim Plant will report to Ms Naidu.

She previously ran Zurich’s UK operation, and will be succeeded in that role by former CEO of Life and Investments Australia Tim Bailey.

Mr Bailey left Australia in December last year to take up responsibility for underwriting, claims, operations and IT across Zurich's Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

The changes will take place on January 1.

Mr Howell will lead the new Global Business Platforms unit, with Ericson Chan, currently CEO Ping An Technology, to take up the position of Group Chief Information and Digital Officer next month.

Zurich’s CEO North America Kathleen Savio will move to the new role of Group Chief Transformation Officer.

“This is a ground-breaking step in reaching our goal of becoming our customers’ preferred insurer,” Group CEO Mario Greco said.

Demand for digital has "broadened significantly" since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mr Greco says.

“Jack has significant experience in insurance and is skilled at launching innovative products and services, and Ericson brings a passion for fintech and using emerging technology to deliver what people want," he said.

“This is the perfect combination to bring extra momentum to our customer-led strategy.”

A spokeswoman for Zurich Australia told insuranceNEWS.com.au that Global Business Platforms is being created "to scale Zurich’s existing digital services platforms such as WellCare and Cover-More and launch new digital services ventures globally".

"It will focus on launching and growing new businesses to gain additional customers and revenue, and will work closely with the local markets to achieve this goal," she said.