The widow of
Zurich Insurance’s former chief financial officer Pierre Wauthier criticized the insurer’s approach to her husband’s suicide at the annual general meeting.
Addressing the company at the annual shareholders meeting in Switzerland, Fabienne Wauthier said that the family could not accept that his suicide was unaccountable, and questioned the handling of the investigation, in which the law firm Homburger was asked to independently investigate whether Wauthier had been placed under undue pressure at work.
“The links that Homburger had with Zurich, the timeline, the non-disparagement clause included in the work contracts of the people interviewed,” stated a report in the Financial Times, “the dereliction of duty that Finma committed towards the family… how does Zurich explain this in view of its very respectable code of conduct?”
The Homburger investigation concluded he had not.
The family also rejected claims that his experiences at work had not played a part in his suicide.
Chairman Tom de Swann expressed sadness at Wauthier’s death and said it is impossible to know why he committed suicide.
George Quinn took the reins as CFO in December, replacing Wauthier following his suicide in August of last year.
Group Chairman Josef Ackermann resigned following Wauthier’s death, taking personally the suicide note that stated Wauthier had been demoralized by the new, aggressive town under Ackermann.
You may also enjoy: "Zurich CFO's widow to confront insurer over suicide"
"Zurich cleared of involvement in group CFO suicide"
"New CFO to take reins at Zurich following August suicide"
