Zurich COO joins ANZIIF board

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has given Hilary Bates, chief operating officer (COO) for Australia and New Zealand at Zurich, a seat on its board of directors.

Bates has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States (US). As Zurich’s current COO for Australia and New Zealand, Bates leads a team of professionals across both countries to deliver operational excellence, outstanding customer service, and technology solutions. Aside from being the COO for the two countries, she has held numerous senior roles in the insurance giant over the last six years, including as the COO for life & investments and chief claims & operations officer in general insurance.

In her new role at ANZIIF’s board, Bates will contribute to controlling, assisting, and directing ANZIIF’s work as it strives to enhance standards and improve community understanding of insurance and finance in the Asia-Pacific region.

Commenting on being a member of ANZIIF’s board, Bates said: “I am honoured to be elected chair of chairs on the ANZIIF board. One thing that stands out to me about ANZIIF is the passion [it has] for those who have a career in insurance and [its] engagement with emerging trends to ensure they are always evolving and relevant.

“ANZIIF [plays] such an important role in enhancing the standards, education, and professionalism of the insurance industry in the APAC region, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this.”

ANZIIF chief executive officer (CEO) Prue Willsford has welcomed Bates to the team, adding: “Hilary is a longstanding advocate of ANZIIF, and her extensive industry knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the board.”

Bates’s entrance to ANZIIF follows the appointment of fellow insurance leaders Kimberley Jonsson and Brendan Dunne to the ANZIIF board.