The Zurich 1872 NextGen Leadership Academy has kicked off for its third year, with nine emerging brokers selected for the 12-month program which begins with an intense three-day visit to Switzerland.

In December 2019, the nine NextGen participants will fly to the Zurich Development Centre at Head Office in Switzerland, alongside senior Executives from Zurich Australia.

The trip will offer NextGen brokers an opportunity to develop their leadership skills, build their network and reflect on market dynamics. Brokers will also meet with some of Zurich’s Global Management Team to learn more about the international insurance market, strategic business issues and associated challenges.

The 1872 NextGen program targets emerging leaders in the Australia & New Zealand broking market. It aims to equip brokers with the necessary skills to achieve future excellence in our evolving industry.

Giles Crowley, Chief Distribution & Deal Management Officer, Zurich Australia & New Zealand, said: “As a fully intermediated insurer, there is a strong imperative for Zurich to invest in the senior broker leaders of tomorrow. We also have a responsibility as one of Australia & New Zealand’s largest commercial insurers to ensure future leaders represent the industry’s best. The NextGen Academy creates an opportunity for Zurich to ‘give back’ to the local market, by giving brokers the chance to develop skills in an international context.”

This year, nine brokers were selected from a high-calibre list of 35 applicants after a detailed application process centred on demonstrated leadership capability and future potential:

• Angela Rowe, Bluebook Insurance Brokers, Brisbane
• Brent Campbell, Oracle Group, Perth 
• Christopher Wallace, Marsh, Perth
• George Dmitriev, Apex Insurance, Auckland
• Greg Tolson, Edgewise Insurance Brokers, Melbourne
• James Sharp, GSA Insurance Brokers, Sydney
• Jessica Mead, Adroit Insurance, Ballarat
• Matt Schinck, Aon, Melbourne
• Natalie Basford, Guardian Insurance, Adelaide

ENDS