Zurich Australia’s general insurance arm has been revamped to give state managers greater responsibility.

GM General Insurance Shane Doyle says state managers will now have responsibility for all operations within the state, with the exception of claims.

“The most significant structural change is broadening the scope of responsibility for Zurich’s state managers to ensure we are aligned to how brokers and their customers expect to deal with us,” Mr Doyle said.

The state managers, who will report to COO Daniel Fogarty, are: Sean Walker NSW; Chris O’Connor Victoria; Damien Gallagher Queensland; Mike Rumac WA; Paul Dorman SA; and Tony Maher Manager Regional Australia.

Mr Walker was previously National Underwriting Manager Accident & Health. He will be replaced in that role by Richard Parkinson, is at present the Head of Distribution in Zurich’s NZ operation.

Claims staff will continue to report to the Sydney-based claims management team headed up by Stephen Brooks.

Associated Marine state managers will now have a local functional reporting line to Zurich state managers. They will also continue to have a reporting line to Associated Marine’s Head of Distribution, Tim Air.

Zurich is also changing the name of its automated business solutions managers. This area will now be called SME & Packages and will report to the state managers, with a reporting line to Head of SME & Packages Shaun Feely.

“The changed reporting lines will help us to facilitate greater alignment between our businesses,” Mr Doyle said. “It’s pleasing that we can point to the fact that these role changes have all been filled internally, showing the excellent bench strength that exists at Zurich.”