Zurich finds Coffey replacement

Zurich has appointed Gareth Howell as director of its UK personal lines broker business

Howell takes over from Mark Coffey, the previously head of Zurich’s personal lines broker business. His departure was revealed last month by Insurance Times.

Howell wil report to UK personal lines managing director Karl Bedlow.

Bedlow said: “Gareth has a deep understanding of the UK personal lines marketplace and this combined with his broad experience means that he is perfectly placed to drive personal lines broker UK to profitable growth."

Howell will be responsible for the strategic direction and operational change programme for the personal lines broker business.

His priorities include re-defining Zurich’s customer and broker propositions

“I am hugely excited to be given the opportunity to lead Zurich’s personal lines broker business," said Howell.

"The market has changed dramatically in the last few years, but that change has brought opportunity and through our new approach we are well positioned to seize this opportunity and profitably grow the personal lines broker business.”

Howell was previously head of pricing and product management within the personal lines element of Zurich’s UK general insurance business.