Tom de Swaan succeeds Ackermann as Zurich board chairman

Tom de Swaan.

Tom de Swaan has been appointed chairman of the board of directors of Zurich Insurance Group Ltd., Zurich announced Wednesday.

Mr. de Swaan succeeds Josef Ackermann, who resigned late last month after the suicide of Zurich Chief Financial Officer Pierre Wauthier. Mr. Wauthier criticized Mr. Ackermann in his suicide note.

Mr. de Swaan served as Zurich's chairman before Wednesday's appointment. The board also appointed one of its members — Fred Kindle — as vice chairman on Wednesday.