XL Group plc today announced the appointment of Paolo Ribotta as head of global distribution.In the newly-created role, Mr. Ribotta will be responsible for the performance, direction, growth and support of XL’s global network. He will report to XL’s chief executive of insurance operations David Duclos and will work closely with XL Insurance’s four business chief executives as a fellow member of the XL Insurance Executive Board.Mr Ribotta’s major duties will entail collaboration with business leaders across the entire XL enterprise to ensure effective broker and client relationship management as well as network management, which includes managing new fronting partner relationships.Mr Ribotta, who joins XL from Zurich Financial Services, will be based in XL’s London office. He has served as CEO, France of Zurich Financial Services since 2004 and prior to that was CEO, Italy for Zurich Global Corporate from 2001 to 2004.He was appointed a member of the European Board of Zurich’s corporate business in 2002. Mr Ribotta is member of the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders group. Previously he worked for UAP International where he started as an International Underwriter trainee. Mr Ribotta holds a degree in Economics from LUISS University of Rome.