Zurich boosts life risk sales team

Nathan Taggart has been promoted to head of strategic development, joining the distribution leadership team, Zurich said in a statement.

Mr Taggart, who has held a range of distribution and advice roles, joined Zurich in 2013 after five years at BT Financial Group.

He will report to Zurich’s head of distribution for its life and investments division Kristine Brooks.

Other appointments include eight business development managers (BDM) and one strategic accounts manager, based across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

In NSW, Annqua Murray and James O’Dwyer join as BDMs, and Liz Versace joins as a business support officer.

In Queensland, Tanya Woolnough joins as a BDM.

In Victoria, Emily Cossignani, Andrew Roberts and Sarah Nichols have become BDMs, while Heena Mulchandani joins as a business development associate and Tim Atley joins as strategic accounts manager.

In WA, Richard Burton and Steve Coyle join as BDMs.

Ms Brooks said that, following its recent acquisition of Macquarie Life, Zurich’s investment in its team allows it to fully support its growing network of IFA- and bank-aligned partners.

“It’s a reflection of the market opportunity we see across the country and means we have more firepower to support our advisers and licensee partners to grow their practices and focus on delivering fantastic financial advice to help protect and grow the wealth of Australians,” she said.

“It comes at a point in time when it’s critical that we as an industry educate as many Australians as possible about the important role of life insurance and do all we can to ensure as many Australians as possible are properly protected.”