Former Zurich state manager Chris O’Connor has joined Fergusons Insurance Brokers in Frankston, Victoria, as GM.

He took up his new position this month after a “four-month sabbatical”.

Mr O’Connor was a long-time Zurich employee, having joined the insurer in 1983 five years after starting in the industry as a cadet with Edward Lumley & Sons.

He held various management roles with Zurich, mainly based in Melbourne, including business manager for Victoria and manager of the manufacturing and service division.

He is also a former SA branch manager for Zurich’s international division.

In April Zurich appointed Paul Skene as Mr O’Connor’s successor as State Manager Victoria and Tasmania.

Mr Skene was previously a senior marine underwriter at Zurich.