R. Lewis Dunn 1942-1999

Peacefully, on October 19, 1999 Lewis Dunn, president and chief executive officer of CGU Group Canada Ltd., passed away surrounded by family. Beloved husband of Sandy, and father of son’s Chris, Greg (and wife Carolyn), daughter Carolyn and grandfather of Jessica.

Born in Vancouver, Mr. Dunn obtained a BA in Math and Economics from the University of British Columbia in 1964. He joined the Imperial Life Assurance Company of Canada in 1964 and became VP, group insurance in 1978 and executive VP and CEO in 1983.

In 1987 he became chairman, president, CEO of Canadian General Insurance Group and in 1998 president, CEO of General Accident following the GA acquisition of Canadian General. In 1999 Mr. Dunn became president and CEO of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurance group — CGU Group after the merger of General Accident and Commercial Union.

Throughout his years leading Canadian General, Mr. Dunn was seen by many in the industry as having a touch for making winning acquisitions. By the time of the General Accident acquisition, Mr. Dunn oversaw Canadian General’s line-up of personal and small-to-medium commercial lines, group and affinity programs, municipal risks, specialty vehicle coverages and niche operations, marketed by Canadian General, Traders General Insurance Co., Scottish & York Insurance Co. Ltd., Elite Insurance Co. of P.E.I. and L’Exclusive.

Within a decade of joining Canadian General, Mr. Dunn’s specialty acquisitions and volume growth had propelled the company to 11th from around 25th place among property-casualty insurers, to post $564-million in net written premiums in 1996.

Over the last two years, Mr. Dunn focussed attention on the merging of the Canadian operations of four of the industries largest insurance companies — Canadian General, General Accident, Commercial Union and most recently GAN Canada. According to Mr. Dunn, gaining critical market mass and reducing the operating cost ratio to premiums were driving forces behind the acquisitions/mergers.

Over the years, Mr. Dunn held directorships on various companies including the Facility Association; IAO/UAB; CNC Global and Canadian Dental Service Plans Inc. Mr. Dunn was a member of the Granite Club and the Scarborough Golf Club. Mr. Dunn will be greatly missed by the insurance industry in Canada and certainly remembered as a canny entrepreneur and gentleman. The staff of Canadian Underwriter offer their condolences to the Dunn family.