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

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

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

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

“A positive and efficient customer claims experience is core to our promise as an insurer,” Mr Delaney said.

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

“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.” 

Mr Paterson will be based in Sydney and will begin his role immediately. Chief Claims Officer General Insurance Tim Scott-Young's position is unchanged, and he reports to Mr Paterson. Chief Claims Officer Life & Investments Suzi Leung is leaving the business.