Zurich appoints Thomas Buess COO Life Insurance business

20 September 2004

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) today announced the appointment of Thomas Buess (47) to Chief Operating Officer (COO) OF Zurich’s Life Insurance business, with immediate effect. In this new function, Thomas Buses will be responsible for driving operational performance and ensuring the implementation of the segment’s strategic and operational plans. He reports to Paul van de Geijn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Life Insurance business.

Paul van de Geijn commented, "The appointment of Thomas Buess underscores out ongoing commitment to strengthening our Life Insurance business and meeting or Group’s earnings target. Thomas brings an outstanding track record to his new job, and I look forward to continue working with him."

Thomas Buess joined Zurich in 1994, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Zurich Switzerland and later joined Zurich North America Corporate in Schaumburg, also as CFO. In 2002 he was appointed Group CFO of Zurich Financial Services and member of the Group Management Board (GMB). In spring of 2003, Thomas was seconded to develop strategic options for the Life Insurance business. In this capacity he has assisted Paul van de Geijn in the transformation to the current global business strategy of Zurich’s Life Insurance segment.

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Notes to editors:

Zurich Financial Services is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network that focuses its activities on its key markets in North America and Europe.  Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.  Zurich has offices in more than 50 countries and employs about 62,000 people.

For further information, please contact:

Zurich Financial Services
Media and Public Relations
8022 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0) 1 625 21 00
Fax: +41 (0) 1 625 26 41
http://www.zurich.com
SWX Swiss Exchange/virt-x:ZURN

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