A senior figure from Zurich Insurance Group has toured the firm’s new head office for Zurich International on the Isle of Man Business Park.

Switzerland-based Gary Shaughnessy, CEO EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), was shown around the nearly complete development during a visit to the Island earlier this month.

Award-winning developer Dandara is constructing Zurich’s new premises and the firm’s Commercial Director David Thomas hosted Mr Shaughnessy’s visit to the three-storey building, outlining the current progress and explaining the layout.

The bespoke development, designed to meet Zurich’s thorough brief of creating a state-of-the-art facility, is in its final stages with employees due to move in by the end of this year.

It is the first major Isle of Man office development to be completed to BREEAM standards, which is an assessment process promoting low impact design and sustainable buildings, which helps to reduce carbon emissions and protect ecological value.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme, an industry-leading body, has highly praised Dandara’s work on the site, highlighting ‘excellent’ and ‘exceptional’ standards following an independent inspection late last year.

Mr Thomas said: ‘This project is in its final stages and it was a pleasure to show Mr Shaughnessy around the development to demonstrate how the building’s design and construction will deliver a Grade A working environment for Zurich and its employees.’

Mr Shaughnessy added: ‘At Zurich we believe in the value of sustainable, contemporary and thoughtful office spaces, and creating an attractive working environment which enables Zurich people to even better collaborate and innovate together for our customers.

‘I was very impressed while touring the building, and wish my Zurich colleagues all the best ahead of their move to the new workspace.’

Photo - Dandara Commercial Director David Thomas (left) and Zurich CEO EMEA Gary Shaughnessy.