Zurich U.S. Promotes Wells to CEO; Diaz Moves Up to Middle Market Leader

September 15, 2026

Zurich U.S. announced on Sept. 11 that Alex Wells has been selected to serve as CEO of Zurich U.S., taking over for Sierra Signorelli, who stepped down. The promotion is effective immediately.

Alex Wells

Wells was president of Zurich U.S. middle market, programs, captives, and direct markets for the last six years.

In a corresponding moves, Zurich U.S. on Sept. 14 said John Diaz was appointed to Wells’ former role, effective immediately.

Wells has more than 25 years experience as a commercial executive. He earlier held senior leadership roles at Chubb and Ace.

Zurich said Wells, since joining Zurich in 2020, has guided the middle market business to double-digit growth while expanding talent and capabilities in underwriting and risk engineering, strengthening local market presence, and advancing specialized risk solutions and broker tools.

Diaz will now this lead business while maintaining his role as president of customer & distribution until a successor is found.

John Diaz

Prior to leading his latest role at Zurich U.S., Diaz was U.S. middle market head of underwriting, where he was responsible for portfolio strategy and execution aligned to the business’s growth objectives. Before that, he served as COO for U.S. middle market.

Diaz joined Zurich in 2008 and has held a series of executive leadership roles across the organization, including in national accounts, where he served as senior vice president for large casualty and head of business performance management and execution.

Wells will be based at Zurich U.S. headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. Diaz is based in New York.

Topics USA Trends Commercial Lines Business Insurance Leadership

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