Zurich has announced changes to its Australian general insurance leadership team following the global merger of its commercial and corporate operations.

The new unit, called commercial insurance, is led globally by James Shea and in Asia-Pacific by Chris Waterman. In Australia former EGM global corporate Giles Crowley has been confirmed as Head of Commercial, while former EGM commercial Steven Ord is now Chief Distribution Officer.

Raelene Seales remains as COO, Hilary Bates as Chief Claims Officer, Stuart Farquharson as CFO and Sean Walker as Chief Underwriting Officer.

“In line with the Zurich Group we are working through the creation of the commercial insurance structure in Australia,” a spokesman said.

“The purpose of the structural change is to simplify engagement for our customers and broker partners.

“It is very much business as usual as we work through this change.”