Zurich's group chief financial officer Pierre Wauthier was yesterday found dead in his apartment in Zug, Switzerland.
Local police have said there was no indications of a third party involved; an investigation is ongoing.
Wauthier, 53, had been at Zurich since 1985 and was posted to chief financial officer in September 2011.
Vibnu Sharma, currently Zurich's group controller, will take over as chief financial officer on an interim basis.
Zurich released the following statement: "Zurich Insurance Group is in mourning following the death of its group CFO, Pierre Wauthier, whose body was found this morning at his home. The police are investigating the exact circumstances. Out of consideration for the family no further details have been disclosed.”