James Brache has joined the Zurich business unit providing insurance and risk management solutions in emerging markets as an underwriter. Brache, who is located in Washington, DC, is responsible for the development of political risk insurance solutions for multinational corporations, infrastructure developers, exporters and lenders. In addition, he will work in collaboration with multilateral organisations and public agencies to advance client goals in emerging markets.

Before joining Zurich, Brache had been senior investment officer at the Environmental Enterprises Assistance Fund where he sourced, analysed and structured debt and equity investments in environmentally focused companies in emerging markets.

Brache has served at the Overseas Private Investment Corporate (Opic) as regional manager, Asia/Middle East and Investment Insurance Officer, Latin America. He has also worked at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) and the US Department of State.

Zurich’s strategic business unit offering insurance solutions in emerging markets (www.zurichna.com/politicalrisk) is based in Washington, DC, with offices in London, Barcelona, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The unit provides political and trade credit risk solutions to financial institutions, multinational corporations, investors, exporters and infrastructure developers. Zurich is a member of the Berne Union, an international union of credit and investment insurers.

Zurich Financial Services (www.zurich.com) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network that focuses its activities on its key markets in North America and Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Through its offices in more than 50 countries, 62,000 Zurich employees serve clients in more than 120 countries. In North America, Zurich (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the large global corporate, middle market and small business sectors.