Winnipeg-based Great-West Life Assurance Co. (GWL) and its sister companies, Toronto-based Canada Life Assurance Co. and London, Ont.-based London Life Insurance Co., announced an organizational restructuring and four executive appointments on Tuesday.
The companies announced that they will restructure their Canadian operations around two business units: one focused on individual customers and one focused on group customers.
In addition, the companies are creating a new “strategic customer marketing” function, which aims to tap into data and digital capabilities to explore opportunities for innovation and to provide a more holistic customer experience.
“The changes we are announcing today build on our core strengths and will position us to continue to meet the changing needs of both advisors and customers,” says Stefan Kristjanson, president and chief operating officer, Canada, in a statement.
The companies also announced the creation of a new executive position dedicated to the province of Quebec, with responsibilities that include advocating with Quebec-based associations and regulators on behalf of GWL, Canada Life and London Life.
In total, the companies announced four executive appointments, effective immediately:
> Jeff Macoun has been appointed executive vice president, group customers. In this role, Macoun will lead the group customers business unit. He has more than 30 years of experience with GWL and London Life, most recently as leader of the group life and health businesses.
> Gerry Hassett has been appointed executive vice president, individual customers. Hassett will be relocating from Dublin, Ireland to lead the individual customers business unit in Canada. He began his career at Irish Life in 1987, and most recently held the position of managing director of Irish Life Financial Services.
> Stéphane Dubreuil has been appointed executive vice president, strategic customer marketing. In this newly created role, Dubreuil will focus on expanding the companies’ capabilities in digital, data and innovation, drawing on his expertise in customer marketing, digital and data. Dubreuil joined the organization in 2015 as senior vice president, market development and strategy.
> Monique Maynard has been appointed to the newly created role of president, Quebec affairs. Maynard, who reports to Kristjanson, will represent the interests of GWL, Canada Life and London Life at Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.’s Quebec chapter (Association canadienne des compagnies d’assurances de personnes Inc.) and will act as an insurance industry advocate with Quebec policymakers and regulators in issues relevant to the insurance industry and the financial services sector.
“As president, Quebec affairs, Monique will provide strategic direction on all issues and initiatives that affect our customers in Quebec,” says Kristjanson in a statement. “Monique will also represent our companies in the community, the industry and with the government.”
In addition to the Quebec affairs role, Maynard will also move into the role of chief actuary for the three companies in Canada when the current chief actuary retires in mid-2017.
Maynard’s career with GWL has spanned three decades, including senior roles in product and business development, pricing, claims, underwriting, new business administration and client service for the individual lines of business for GWL, London Life and Canada Life.
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