Zurich, November 1, 2006 - Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) has appointed Angel Serna (41) to become its new Head of Media Relations, effective today. In this capacity, Mr. Serna will be responsible for the management of Zurich's media relations activities on a global basis, and will report to Francis Bouchard, Global Head of Corporate Communications.
Francis Bouchard said: "I am delighted that Angel Serna is joining Zurich. His years of experience with the media, combined with his strong financial and economic background, make him uniquely qualified to develop and implement an active global media strategy. We are fortunate to have him."
Mr. Serna completed his studies at the University of Zurich with a Ph.D. in Economics. For the last twelve years he has been working as an economics editor and correspondent with the Swiss daily newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ). During that time he covered various industrial sectors and was working among other things as a foreign correspondent in Madrid, São Paulo and Washington. His last role with NZZ was as an editor of its economics section in Zurich.
Mr. Serna assumes responsibility for Zurich's global media work from Daniel M. Hofmann, who will fully concentrate again on his original position as Chief Economist for the Group. E. Randall Clouser, Group Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Global Communications, said: "On behalf of our management I would like to thank Daniel Hofmann for the outstanding service he has provided in his double role as Head of Media and Chief Economist during the last four years. Initially appointed interim Head of Media, he has shaped Zurich's media work in a time of change and big challenges."
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is 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. It employs approximately 55,000 people serving customers in more than 120 countries.
