Richard Bell has been appointed chief executive officer of the SSQ Financial Group. The appointment will take effect on January 1, 2002.

Educated as an actuary, Bell is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and of the Society of Actuaries. He joined the ranks of the SSQ Financial Group in 1988 and progressively rose through management and senior management positions before becoming the executive vice-president of the insurance and investment branch.

Bell has vast professional experience in group insurance and retirement products. He is also the spokesperson of the Regroupement des assureurs de personnes à charte du Québec for matters concerning the Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (Quebec drug plan). In the past, he has worked in the Quebec civil service in the field of social security and for the Executive Council.

Bell sits on numerous boards including those of Solareh Canada and Solareh S.A. France. He is also a member of the Canadian Pensions and Benefits Conference and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.