Catherine Hallinan, acting chief operating officer of investment management and life at Zurich, is likely to take over the role permanently by March following Barry Tomkinson’s departure.

Tomkinson left the position in November. Rob White, corporate communications manager at Zurich, said that since the departure of Tomkinson for some “well-earned time off”, Hallinan had been filling in over the Christmas and New Year period. Zurich is not currently looking at any other candidates, and White said that with her 25 years of industry experience, Hallinan was an obvious choice for the position. Hallinan joined Zurich in 2006. Previously she was general manager, wealth strategy, at St George.