Zurich Further Strengthens Specialty Lines in North America; Michael Bond Appointed Head of Surety

Leading global property and casualty insurer Zurich announced today that Michael Bond has been promoted to head of Surety for Zurich’s North America operations.

In his 12 years with Zurich, Bond has had responsibility for numerous markets and products, globally. Prior to assuming his new role, Bond was head of International Surety, Credit & Political Risk, where he helped oversee the expansion of Zurich’s Surety business into emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.

"I am pleased to congratulate Mike on his new role, and confident that his experience and demonstrated commitment to Zurich’s customers will serve him well in leading and growing our Surety business,” said Daniel Riordan, President, Specialty Products, Zurich North America Commercial. "With this distinguished team in place and support from more than 165 underwriters—each with an average of 21 years experience in the industry—Zurich will continue to provide industry-leading specialty solutions, products, and services to our customers.”

Geoff Delisio has been appointed to the newly created role of head of Contract Surety, overseeing regional operations. Delisio joined Zurich in 2007 from Liberty Mutual, and has substantial industry and underwriting experience. Reporting to Delisio will be:

• Jim Carroll, who will lead the West and Canada Region
• Tom McClellan, who will lead the Eastern region
• Dave McVicker, who is promoted from his role as an underwriting manager in International Surety to lead the Central Region

Brian Hodges has been appointed head of the Surety Underwriting Center of Excellence (Domestic and International). Hodges, who joined Zurich in 1995, has served as a senior underwriting officer, Surety, for the past four years. In this role, he was responsible for underwriting oversight of the commercial surety business in the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

Rounding out the Surety team, Ted Martinez continues in his role as Head of Commercial Surety, which he has led since joining Zurich in 2001. Sean McGroarty will continue in his role as Head of International Surety, a role he has held since he joined Zurich in April 2009 from Liberty Mutual.

To learn more about Zurich’s Surety business, go to http://www.zurichna.com/zna/products/product/surety.htm.

About Zurich

Zurich in North America is a part of Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich), an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries, including more than 9,500 employees in North America. Risk engineering services are provided by Zurich Services Corporation.

Zurich entered the U.S. market in 1912. According to Highline Data LLC (NAIC 2008), Zurich in North America (www.zurichna.com) is the second-largest writer of commercial general liability insurance and the fourth-largest commercial property-casualty insurance company, serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors. Zurich's risk engineering services in the United States are provided by Zurich Services Corporation.