Zurich Puts Blair On Payroll As Advisor

Zurich Financial Services Group in Zurich Switzerland announced today that it has hired former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair as and advisor on international politics and climate initiatives.

The company said financial details of the advisory agreement would not be released.

As part of the agreement, Mr. Blair will advise Zurich's Chief Executive Officer James J. Schiro, and provide general guidance on developments and trends in the international political environment, the company said.

Mr. Blair, the insurer said, will collaborate with Zurich on a climate initiative announced last week, and work closely with its newly launched Climate Change Advisory Council

The firm's climate initiative was described as a focus on the development of products and services addressing the evolving risks associated with climate change, as well as the establishment of a long-range carbon management strategy.

Previously announced as external members of the company's Climate Change Advisory Council former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-NY and Ernst Ulrich von Weizs?cker, dean of Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Mr. Blair said in a statement that he was pleased to be taking on a role advising Zurich and “in particular supporting its Climate Initiative. There is a consensus now that the challenge of climate change is real, and what we need now are the policy solutions to turn that concern into action.

“That's why Zurich's work to look at how business, and in particular the insurance sector, can play its part is so crucial, and why I welcome the chance to help them with it.”

Mr. Schiro said the company is “excited about the considerable expertise and experience that Tony Blair brings to Zurich's Group management in his role as strategic advisor. His appointment sits alongside other initiatives where Zurich has partnered with external thought leaders to challenge and enhance our operational and strategic thinking.”