Zurich North America's Head of Human Resources wins prestigious award

Brian Little

Brian Little named Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year in the For Profit category by HRO Today for his work in transforming manager training throughout Zurich globally.

Brian Little, Head of Human Resources for one of the leading property and casualty insurance providers, Zurich North America, has been named Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the Year in the For Profit category by HRO Today magazine. He has also been recognized as a Leader of Distinction in Human Resources.

The 2017 CHRO of the Year Award winners were announced at a gala on May 1 at the HRO Today Forum, which took place in Chicago, Illinois, May 1-3.

Little was recognized for his work in implementing an advanced management training program at Zurich North America. The program was designed to improve the capabilities and people management skills of Zurich’s managers so they can build, coach and nurture highly engaged teams that deliver a winning performance. The program originated in concept at Zurich North America and was later adopted throughout Zurich’s global organization.

Little was executive sponsor for the program and helped shape its design and execution. Additionally, under Little’s leadership of Human Resources, Zurich North America has:

• rolled out a first-of-its kind in the U.S. apprenticeship program for the insurance industry that aims to bring new entrants of all ages into the industry workforce;
• implemented the FlexWork@Zurich program, which provides Zurich employees the technology tools and flexibility to work from home or another remote location, as well as any location within a Zurich office, allowing people to achieve a greater work/life balance;
• developed and introduced the Skill Grids skill development tool, which has also been implemented in a dozen other countries across Zurich’s global organization (Skill Grids define the skills and behaviors required for specific jobs, supporting the individual growth of employees while enhancing Zurich’s internal talent pipeline);
• maintained a leadership position within the insurance industry in terms of the competitiveness of the benefits package available to employees. This includes a highly competitive offering when it comes to healthcare and retirement plans, for employer contributions and overall value to employees.

“Zurich’s employees are at the heart of our ability to deliver for our customers,” said Craig Fundum, Chief Administrative Officer for Zurich North America. “Brian has been instrumental in driving forward initiatives that help Zurich get the best from our people while making the company an employer of choice at the same time. I am very happy that his work been recognized by his peers in the wider HR community through this award.”

The HRO Today CHRO of the Year Awards honor HR executives who, through their leadership and strategic insight, are able to impact a company’s talent and performance profile, driving the business forward. The award winners are determined in part through votes by previous winners.

About Zurich

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With about 54,000 employees, it provides a wide range of property and casualty, and life insurance products and services in more than 210 countries and territories. Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, as well as multinational corporations. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in 1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.

In North America, Zurich is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the global corporate, large corporate, middle market, specialties and programs sectors through the individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company. Life insurance and disability coverage issued in the United States in all states except New York is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company, an Illinois domestic life insurance company. In New York, life insurance and disability coverage is issued by Zurich American Life Insurance Company of New York, a New York domestic life insurance company. For more information about the products and services it offers and people Zurich employs around the world go to www.zurichna.com. 2012 marked Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees.