Zurich Investments (Zurich) has appointed MLC's Tim Meggitt as its new head of key accounts to strengthen its commitment to financial advisers, the group has announced.
Meggitt, who will be responsible for investments and research at Zurich, has held senior national account roles across platforms and investments at MLC, and prior to that worked at Colonial First State in distribution roles across platforms and investments.
Zurich general manager of investments Matthew Drennan said Meggitt's appointment was the first of a series of appointments planned to reflect Zurich's market-facing focus, as it takes on additional accounts and new products in 2011.
He said Zurich's close relationships with key adviser groups were crucial to ensure the company continued to deliver high quality service as it grows the business.
"Zurich's aim has always been to be the premier partner for third-party distribution in Australia with asset managers, investment platforms and dealer groups," Drennan said.
"Zurich's strategy going forward is to maximise existing distribution channels through leveraging opportunities arising from deeper and richer relationships."
Drennan said Meggitt would help play a role in this, as he had an extensive understanding of the investment and platform markets and their requirements, processes and strategic directions.
"Tim has a comprehensive understanding of the key decision-making processes inside national and boutique dealer groups and the support mechanisms they require," Drennan said.
Meggitt replaces Nick Langton, who recently moved to Perpetual.
