Zurich Australia has appointed a former QBE veteran to its newly created Head of Claims General Insurance role, reporting to Chief Claims and Operations Officer Hilary Bates.

Craig Newton takes the market-facing job with oversight of Zurich’s front-line claims teams.

Mr Newton, based in Sydney, spent two decades at QBE in a variety of roles – most recently senior VP of insurance services in the Philippines, following two years in Hong Kong and Singapore as operational readiness and change monitor for e-business.

He brings more than 30 years’ industry experience in claims, underwriting and operations.