Hilary Bates was appointed Chief Operating Officer, Australia & New Zealand in May 2022 including accountability for Zurich’s Life & Investments business in Australia and Zurich’s General Insurance business in Australia and New Zealand. In this role, Hilary leads a team of professionals that are dedicated to delivering operational excellence, outstanding customer service, and technology solutions.
Previously, Hilary was the Chief Operating Officer for Zurich’s Life & Investments business from June 2021, and prior to this, she was Chief Claims & Operations Officer for Zurich’s General Insurance business across Australia and New Zealand.
Hilary first joined Zurich in August 2016. Throughout her career, Hilary has held senior management roles with a track record of delivering on the customer, people, operational, financial, and transformation objectives.
Hilary started her career in private practice working within insurance, risk management, and litigation practice groups, before moving to work directly in insurance in 2004. Hilary worked in the USA for seven years gaining valuable and varied experience across complex claims and senior claims management roles, before returning to Australia in 2013.
Hilary holds a Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology), Bachelor of Laws (Honours), and Master of Laws from the University of Sydney and is admitted to practice law in New South Wales.
With 20 years of working in the insurance industry, Hilary is passionate about business transformation and delivering on the promise to Zurich’s customers.
