Looking at 2026 and Beyond: A Q&A with Eric Cittadino

Zurich ProgramsArticleDecember 8, 2025

Eric Cittadino highlights the importance of our relationships with Zurich's program administrators and how collaboration will continue to drive success. Lean more about Eric's vision and the opportunities with our program administrators created for our journey beyond 2025.

As we approach the milestone of closing the book in 2025, we spoke with Eric Cittadino, Head of Programs, to hear his perspective on what’s ahead for 2026. In this Q&A, Eric shares his views on current trends, the future direction of Programs, and insights from his conversation with AM Best earlier this spring. Eric highlights the importance of our relationships with our program administrators and how collaboration will continue to drive success. Learn more about Eric’s vision and the opportunities with our program administrators create for our journey beyond 2025.

Q: Where are you seeing growth in the Programs space today?

Eric Cittadino: It’s been interesting to watch the environment shift. Historically, we saw many program opportunities arise from one-on-one collaborations between program administrators and carriers. Now, we’re seeing a rise in what we call a consortium model, where multiple carriers share risk with a single administrator. This broadens relationships, helps reduce volatility, and supports portfolio diversification, which is both timely and necessary. We’re also seeing a growing propensity to pursue non-admitted programs over admitted ones, as these solutions help us tailor offerings, innovate, and diversify our portfolios further. While Zurich continues to support both admitted and non-admitted programs, our focus is increasingly on non-admitted business for the agility and targeted solutions it provides.

Q: How do current events affect the program landscape?

Eric Cittadino: Two main events stand out. First, economic headwinds—such as tariffs, supply chain challenges, and moderated interest rates—are impacting costs and borrowing for our customers and program administrators. These shifts make it vital for us to leverage our portfolio effectively and stay adaptable. Second, over the past several years, we have seen a persistent increase in catastrophic events - from hurricanes to wildfires and convective storms. These emerging risks require close collaboration to manage accumulation and volatility, ensuring we remain profitable and resilient for the long term.

Q: What are Zurich’s priorities in terms of the Programs business?

Eric Cittadino: Our number one priority is investing in our team—both developing our current colleagues and welcoming new talent into Zurich Programs. We’ve been in this space for over 60 years, and nurturing our people is key to our longevity. We’re also focusing on building deeper, more strategic relationships with administrators who offer multiple programs across industries. This helps us diversify and balance our portfolio. Additionally, we’re expanding beyond property into casualty and financial lines—such as professional liability, workers’ compensation, and general liability. For example, we’re interested in specific general liability opportunities that are non-admitted in nature, allowing us to respond to market needs and support profitable growth.

Q: What were your key takeaways from the Fall Target Markets event?

Eric Cittadino: At the Fall Target Markets event, the overall outlook among program administrators and carriers was highly positive. I heard from program administrators who are planning to launch new programs. The challenges that were being discussed focused around capacity constraints, volatility issues in select industries for example, monoline umbrella and transportation, market saturation, regulatory scrutiny, and economic pressures. The TPMAA 2025 Business Study indicates that programs business is expected to continue to outperform broader property/casualty growth.

Looking Ahead: Zurich’s Vision and Industry Trends

Q: What is Zurich’s long-term vision for the Programs business, and how do you see it evolving through 2026 and beyond?

Eric Cittadino: Zurich’s long-term vision is to be the program carrier of choice. We’re committed to reliability, innovation, and strong working relationships. By 2026 and beyond, I see us expanding into new sectors, leveraging cutting-edge analytics, and deepening our collaboration with administrators to deliver smarter, faster solutions.

Q: Are there any emerging risk-sharing models or consortium approaches Zurich is exploring that would reshape the traditional program space?

Eric Cittadino: Absolutely. We’re actively exploring consortium models and risk-sharing arrangements, which offer more flexibility and scalability. These models enable us to manage complex risks and deliver tailored solutions, while reducing volatility and diversifying our portfolio.

Q: How are Zurich’s relationships with program administrators evolving, and what qualities do you value most in a successful working relationship?

Eric Cittadino: Our relationships with program administrators are becoming more collaborative and transparent. We value program administrators who embrace innovation, operational excellence, and a customer-centric mindset. In addition, we are especially interested in working with program administrators who have strong technical capabilities and a robust distribution outreach network. These qualities help us deliver exceptional solutions to our customers. Trust, responsiveness, and adaptability remain crucial for success, allowing us to grow in an evolving marketplace.

Q: What do you see as the biggest disruptors or “wild cards” for the program insurance industry in the next five years?

Eric Cittadino: Key disruptors include rapid technological change, regulatory shifts, and evolving customer expectations. Climate and cyber risks are also moving targets. Our ability to anticipate and adapt to these “wild cards” will be critical for industry leadership.

Q: What advice would you give to brokers and program administrators who want to thrive in the evolving Programs landscape?

Eric Cittadino: Stay curious and proactive. Invest in technology, focus on building strong relationships, and be open to new ideas. Understanding your clients’ changing needs and adding value beyond traditional insurance will help us all create a brighter future for Programs.

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