Former Suncorp executive Daniel Fogarty has been appointed COO for Zurich General Insurance, while Elizabeth Taylor has been named Head of Operations.

New Zurich GM General Insurance Shane Doyle says the appointments to two newly created positions are part of a move by the company to improve its strategic focus, efficiency, performance and financial discipline.

“We are undertaking a number of key initiatives at present, particularly in the IT space, to make it easier for brokers to do business with us,” he said.

Mr Fogarty originally joined Zurich from Suncorp in October last year as Head of Automated Business Solutions, and will retain that responsibility as part of his new role.

Ms Taylor has been with Zurich since 2004 and has experience in a broad range of industries in a number of countries. She was previously Head of Planning and Business Practice in the general insurance business.