SSQ Financial Group announced the appointment of René Hamel as the new CEO of the financial group. Current CEO Richard Bell will officially hand over the reins on September 12.

Hamel is an actuary by training and an Associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries. He joined SSQ in 1986, and quickly became involved in the creation of SSQ General Insurance Co., where he successively held the positions of assistant general director, executive vp, and CEO. In 1994, Hamel was appointed vp of individual insurance and annuities at SSQ Financial Group. Then, in 2001, he was appointed senior vp of group insurance, a position that he has held since.

Hamel is a member of the Intelligence Committee of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF), and represents Quebec on the Life and Health Insurance Association’s (CLHIA) national committee on health.

“Over the years, Mr. Hamel’s vast experience has been a significant factor contributing to our company’s growth. His leadership and management skills make him the ideal person to take over as the new CEO for our group,” stated Pierre Genest, SSQ chairman.

“Mr. Richard Bell has decided to take a well-deserved retirement which we hope will be just as exciting as for him as his professional career has been,” added Genest.

As a result of this leadership change at SSQ, the following job appointments will also take effect on September 12.

Johanne Goulet will take over Hamel’s former responsibilities as senior vp of the SSQ Group Insurance business line. An actuary and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, Goulet joined SSQ in 1991. She has since held a number of executive-level positions in group insurance including positions in actuarial, marketing and sales departments before becoming senior vp of SSQ’s investment and retirement business line in 2001.

Bernard Tanguay will take over Goulet’s former position at investment and retirement. Tanguay is an actuary and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries. Before joining SSQ in 1996, he held a number of management positions in the insurance and financial services industry. At SSQ, Tanguay has held various executive-level positions, the most recent being v.p. of actuarial and sales support.

Quebec City-based SSQ Financial Group is a mutual diversified financial institution. With $2 billion in annual revenue and more than $4 billion in assets under management, the group serves over 1million clients. Its main operating unit is SSQ, Life Insurance Co. Inc., a leader in the group insurance industry.