John Treacy, whose 22-year insurance and accounting career has included senior finance positions with Zurich Financial Services and The Travelers Companies, has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer at Collins, Patrick Denzer, president and chief executive officer of the independent reinsurance broker, announced today.

Along with Treacy's appointment, Denzer announced that Vibhu Sharma, executive vice president and current chief financial officer, has been named chief operating officer.

"John Treacy brings to Collins a remarkable track record in guiding the financial operations and strategies of major U.S. financial services companies," Denzer said. "He is widely known and respected in the global insurance and reinsurance marketplace.

"At the same time, we're fortunate that Vibhu Sharma can step into his new role with energy, knowledge and a clear direction," Denzer said. "His knowledge of our people, clients and business, along with his experience and dedication to operational excellence make him the perfect fit for this important position."

Treacy most recently was senior vice president and corporate controller at Zurich North America, the U.S. insurance operation of Zurich Financial Services

He joined Zurich North America in 2005, after 16 years with The St. Paul Companies and, following a merger in 2004, The Travelers. During that tenure he held a variety of finance positions, including senior vice president and corporate controller. His responsibilities included financial and operational accounting, reporting and analysis. He also served as director of ceded reinsurance operations.

Treacy began his career with the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Saint Thomas, Saint Paul, Minn., and the CPA and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designations.

Sharma has been with Collins since 2004, following a 17-year career with KPMG where he was a partner and director of KPMG's Midwest Insurance Practice.