ZURICH--Zurich Insurance Group AG (ZURN.VX) Chairman Josef
Ackermann has resigned following the death this week of group Chief
Financial Officer Pierre Wauthier, it said on Thursday.
Vice-Chairman Tom de Swaan will become acting chairman, the
company added.
"The unexpected death of Pierre Wauthier has deeply shocked me,"
Mr. Ackermann said in a statement. "I have reasons to believe the
family is of the opinion that I should take my share of
responsibility--as unfounded as any allegations might be," he
said.
Mr. Ackermann resigned immediately "to avoid any damage to
Zurich's reputation."
"Given the sad death of our CFO it is inappropriate for us to
speculate on the reasons for Mr. Ackermann's decision," a Zurich
Insurance spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Mr. Wauthier, a dual French and British citizen, was found dead
at his home earlier this week. "The authorities have concluded it
is most likely that Mr. Wauthier took his own life," a Zurich
Insurance spokeswoman said at the time.
Swisscom AG (SCMN.VX) CEO Carsten Schloter committed suicide
last month, police said.
Write to Neil Maclucas at neil.maclucas@dowjones.com
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