Rolf Hüppi
Mr. Hüppi is a member of The Peninsula Group and acts in an advisory capacity. He chairs a number of private equity firms and partners with entities in the financial services sector. Mr. Hüppi is avidly engaged in businesses which address the needs of low income market segments. In 2003 he launched a program to provide financial security to people in low income and poor sectors and to people with disabilities in emerging market economies.
Mr. Hüppi joined Zurich Insurance Group in 1963 and transferred to India where he assumed the CEO position for India in 1966. He returned to the Corporate Head Office in Zurich in 1970 and two years later was promoted to a lead role for the company in the United States. In 1975 he returned to Corporate Headquarters to lead Zurich’s International Division, serving the insurance and risk management needs of internationally operating corporate customers.
In 1983 he joined the Group Executive Board with oversight responsibility for Zurich’s activities throughout North America, UK, Asia and Australia. >From 1984 until 1987, he also held the CEO position of Zurich’s US operations. In 1987 he returned to Zurich as the Group’s Chief Operating Officer. His promotion to President and CEO of Zurich Group in 1991 was followed by his invitation to join the Board of Directors and subsequently his election to the Chairmanship in 1995. He continued as Chairman and CEO of Zurich Financial Services after the merger between the financial services arm of B.A.T. Industries and the Zurich Group in 1998. In February 200,2 Mr. Hüppi announced his intention to resign as the Group’s CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors and retired from the Company at the end of that year.
Mr. Hüppi was awarded a Dr. hc of international business management with the Universad Autonoma de Guadalajara. In 2004 he was made Batten Fellow at the Darden Business School, Charlottesville, VA.