Zurich Insurance Group says it has appointed Tom deSwaan chairman following the resignation of Josef Ackermann.

Ackermann resigned shortly after the suicide of Zurich CFO Pierre Wauthier. Ackermann said the family of Wauthier in part held Ackermann responsible for his death. Ackermann was named in the suicide note. Citing unnamed sources, reports says Ackermann will also resign his board position at Siemens.

De Swaan (pictured), formerly vice chairman, had been named acting chairman immediately following Ackermann's resignation, and immediately launched an internal review to determine if Wauthier was under excessive pressure.

The company's Board of Directors put de Swaan in the role permanently with a vote on Sept. 11. Fred Kindle was subsequently named vice chairman.

Dutch-born banker de Swaan has been a member of Zurich's board since 2006. He was elected vice chairman in March 2012. He serves on several other boards, including as a non-executive member of the board of GlaxoSmithKline and as chairman of the Netherlands Cancer Institute board.

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