Zurich North America appoints chief human resources officer
Zurich North America appoints chief human resources officer | Insurance Business America
Insurance News
Zurich North America appoints chief human resources officer
Exec brings more than 30 years of experience to the role
Insurance News
By
Kenneth Araullo
Zurich North America has appointed Al Crook (pictured above) as chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective immediately.
Crook brings over 30 years of HR leadership and business experience to the role. Most recently, he served as Zurich’s head of HR business partners.
Crook has also been the executive sponsor of the Zurich Apprenticeship Program since its inception in 2015. Under his leadership, Zurich has been recognized as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the US Department of Labor.
Zurich said that Crooks also played a key role in establishing the Chicago Apprenticeship Network with partners Aon and Accenture. This program has created a new and diverse talent pipeline for Zurich and has helped many individuals start careers in the insurance industry while earning a degree.
Having served as interim CHRO since May, Crook will now report directly to Zurich North America CEO Kristof Terryn.
“Al Crook’s ability to develop and deliver strategic HR initiatives and successfully partner with the business — as well as his invaluable work to improve the industry’s diverse talent pipeline through Zurich’s Apprenticeship Program — made him a clear choice to lead the human resources function and help the organization advance our people ambitions to drive business results,” Terryn said.
Before joining Zurich in 2014, Crook led HR delivery for HSBC North America, where he served as head of human resources for Risk and Compliance, and previously for North American Insurance and Taxpayer Financial Services.
Crook is active in the community, serving as chairman of the Special Leisure Services Foundation Board, a member of the Doulos Discovery School Foundation board, and a member of DePaul University’s Finance Advisory Board.
He holds an MBA from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in management from Northern Illinois University. Additionally, he served in the US Army Reserve and National Guard and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation.
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