Montreal-based Standard Life Financial Inc. has appointed two industry experts to boost its retail markets business development team and expand its group insurance team.

Barbara Foy-Pilchner joined Standard Life as vice president and national director, strategic accounts, retail markets. In this newly created position, Foy-Plichner manages relationships with key industry partners to promote Standard Life’s investment and insured-money products to a broad client base including the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), the Investment Industry Regulatory Organisation of Canada (IIROC) and the Managing General Agencies (MGA) channels. She holds an Honors BA in Economics from the University of Toronto and brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Lyna Gendron was appointed associate vice president, pricing and underwriting, group insurance. Gendron brings 15 years of life insurance experience to Standard Life. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science from Laval University (Qubec City), is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries; she is also a member of the CFA Institute.

Standard Life provides long-term savings, investment and insurance solutions to more than 1.4 million Canadians, including group retirement and insurance plan members.