Zurich Financial Services Australia Limited (Zurich) has further strengthened its Investments distribution capability, announcing two senior appointments.
Ms. Kristine Brooks has been promoted to Head of Distribution, Life and Investments, and Ms. Linda Stangherlin will join Zurich as National Sales Manager, Investments.
In the newly created Head of Distribution role, Ms. Brooks will assume complete responsibility for the planning and execution of Zurich’s distribution strategy across both investments and retail life risk, encompassing Zurich’s engagement with dealer groups, researchers and advisers.
Ms. Brooks was previously Zurich’s Head of Sales, Retail Life and Investments.
Reporting into Ms. Brooks will be Ms. Linda Stangherlin, appointed to the newly created role of National Sales Manager, Investments.
In this role Ms. Stangherlin will lead a team of national account managers and state based regional managers responsible for driving growth across our investments business.
Ms. Stangherlin joins Zurich from Colonial First State, where she spent the last 4 years as National Sales Manager, Investments. Linda has also held senior sales and relationship management roles with Russell Investments, ING and HSBC.
Zurich’s GM Retail Life & Investments Mr. Philip Kewin said that the appointments follow a series of recent changes, designed to drive increased integration and specialisation within those teams managing dealer group, research and fund manager relationships.
“Kristine has been instrumental in driving two years of outstanding sales growth, underpinned by her exceptional strategic thinking and an ability to create a culture of excellence amongst her people,” said Mr. Kewin.
“The broadening of her remit will not only strengthen our distribution capability, it will be warmly welcomed by our strategic investment partners.
“We are equally excited about Linda’s appointment,” said Mr. Kewin.
“Linda is a highly experienced and widely respected investments distribution specialist, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Zurich business,” he said.
Ms. Brooks’ appointment is effective immediately, whilst Ms. Stangherlin will take up her role on November 17th.
