Moves (March 01, 2007)

Willis Group Holdings has announced the appointment of Richard T. Hynes as president and CEO of Willis Canada. Hynes has more than 25 years of management and industry experience in the Canadian market, with market growth and business development being his key areas of focus within Willis. “Since joining the company in 2005, Rick Hynes has done an outstanding job as managing partner of our Toronto office, which positions him well for his transition to president and CEO,” Don Bailey, CEO of Willis North America, said in a statement. Hynes’s experience in relationship-building within the risk management community has resulted in a high level of client retention as well as business opportunities, a Willis release said.

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Pat and Lily Durepos, the founders of Keal Technology, an insurance software developer, were awarded the Ernst & Young Entre- preneur of the Year Award, Atlantic Canada in the service category. The gala event celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of Atlantic Canada was held at the Mariott Harbour Front Hotel in Halifax. In addition to the award, the Durepos were chosen by the national judging panel to receive a special citation in honour of regional leadership. Ernst & Young awards six of these honours throughout Canada “in recognition of the tremendous entrepreneurial vision, seamless teamwork and relentless pursuit of success.”

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Rob Seal has been appointed to the position of president and CEO of Cunningham Lindsey Canada Limited (CLC). Seal has held many adjusting and management positions during his 20-year career with CLC, most recently as president of Canadian operations. “His technical adjusting skills combined with a customer-focused, employee-driven management style have enabled CLC to expand its service offerings and maintain its position as a premier provider of quality independent adjusting services in Canada,” says a CLC release.

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Joseph A. Hardy has been appointed account development executive of Compliance Management Inc. (CMI). Working out of CMI’s Markham office, Hardy will be responsible for compliance risk management in Canada. With more than 20 years working with large corporations in the risk management field, Hardy has also served as the president of Ontario Risk & Insurance Management Society, as well as serving 5 years as board director of the Risk & Insurance Management Society.

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Nancy Ng has been appointed manager of insurance services at PPG Canada Inc., a manufacturer that supplies vehicle-related products around the world. In her new role, Ng will work closely with the Canadian auto insurance industry to provide value through products, services and outsourcing options.

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The Toronto Insurance Women’s Association (TIWA) is mourning the passing of Pauline Ferguson, its historian, on Feb. 1, 2007. “She will be missed,” TIWA said of Ferguson in a public statement. “We extend our sympathies to Ted, her husband.” Pauline joined TIWA in 1961 and was chairperson of the entertainment committee for two years. She held various positions on the executive before becoming the historian in 1981. A longtime employee at Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, she was quoted as saying: “The secret in life is not to do what you like, but to like what you do.”

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Hub International Limited has agreed to acquire substantially all of the assets of one of the largest Louisiana-based insurance brokers, Hibernia Insurance Agency LLC; according to a press release. Hibernia Insurance, an US$18-million-revenue brokerage firm, will become a new regional platform doing business as Hub International Gulf South (HUB Gulf South). “The Hibernia Insurance Agency acquisition is a major step in our strategy to increase penetration of the southern United States,” said Martin P. Hughes, Hub International’s chairman and CEO. Hub International acquired Fortun Insurance in Florida last summer and has indicated its desire to expand in the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast.