Kristof Terryn
CEO North America
Nationality:Swiss and Belgian
Born: 1967
Skills and experience
Kristof Terryn began his career in 1993 in the banking industry, working in capital markets. In 1997, he joined McKinsey & Company where he held various positions within the financial services practice in Brussels and Chicago. He joined Zurich in 2004 in the Finance department. In 2007, he became Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Global Corporate business division and in January 2009 was named COO for General Insurance. Mr. Terryn became a member of the Executive Committee in 2010 upon his appointment as Group Head Operations. In September 2013, he was appointed CEO Global Life, and became CEO General Insurance in October 2015. He was appointed Group COO effective July 2016. Mr. Terryn was named CEO North America effective January 1, 2021.
External appointments
Mr. Terryn is a board member of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Intersect Illinois, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, and St. John’s School of Risk Management. He is also a member of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the CEO Leadership Council of the Global Business Alliance.
Educational background
Mr. Terryn holds a law degree and a degree in economics from the University of Leuven, Belgium, as well as an MBA from the University of Michigan.
