Moves & Views (November 01, 2010)

1 The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) is recognizing Bruce Thomas [1], a founding partner of Thomas Gold Pettingill LLP, for practicing law for 50 years. Thomas specializes in insurance law and will be granted a lifetime membership in the LSUC. “Bruce’s love for practicing law makes him as effective today as ever before,” said Chris Schnarr, another founding partner of Thomas Gold Pettingill. “After 50 years of practicing, Bruce’s passion for the law is stronger than ever. He has no intention of slowing down.” A former managing partner at Cassels Brock LLP, Thomas founded Thomas Gold Pettingill with lawyers he had previously mentored. In addition to specializing in corporate and commercial related matters (with a particular focus on insurance), he inspires and leads the practice, devoting energy to the mentorship of the younger members of the firm.

2 Compu-Quote has launched an update to its residential replacement cost valuation tool, ezITV. The ezITV 2010 tool accesses the eValue-EVS cost engine through a Web service, reducing the need for users to process updates. The program interface and func- tionality is similar to its predecessor, but the update includes more options:

additional building types, exterior siding choices, enhanced garages and more help files. The options will be continuously updated. Compu-Quote will host a series of seminars across Canada in Fall 2010 and early 2011, which will be accredited in all provinces.

3 Catlin Canada has added reinsurance to its underwriting appetite, hiring Matthew Spensieri [3] as vice president of reinsurance. Spensieri will lead the reinsurance team. Prior to this post, Spensieri led the Canadian treaty underwriting at Gen Re Canada. Catlin Canada will be writing reinsurance business, both treaty and excess of loss, from its Toronto office. Also, the company has expanded its presence across the country with the opening of two new offices, one in Montreal and one in Vancouver. Pat Bruzzes, will lead the Montreal office. Prior to his new post, he headed the Montreal office of GCAN Insurance. The rest of the Montreal team will consist of Flavia Di Girolamo, property manager, Quebec; Robert Foster, senior underwriter, property and casualty; and Lucy Martinello, office manager. Ian Rutherford will head up the Vancouver office. He served most recently as a branch manager for GCAN Insurance. In addition to Rutherford, Catlin’s Vancouver team includes senior underwriters Rory O’- Donoghue and Lawrence Quan. The new offices will target business complementary to the key classes already written in the existing network, but they will allow Catlin Canada to expand its distribution.

4 The Guarantee Company of North America has increased its investment and is now a full partner in the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC)’s Broker Identity Program (BIP) for 2010. Launched 22 years ago, the BIP program promotes the value and professionalism of the insurance broker to consumers, insurers and governments. It is a branding campaign for more than 33,000 insurance brokers. Bob Dempsey, president and chief operating officer of The Guarantee Company of North America, said the move “categorically reinforces our commitment to the independent broker distribution system within Canada.” The Guarantee Company of North America joined IBAC at the “Supporter” level in 2009.

5 Canada’s federal government has named Monique Leroux, board chair, president and CEO of Desjardins Group, to an expert panel created to support business research and development in Canada. Leroux joins a six-member panel that will solicit advice from Canadians and businesses on how the federal government can better support business research and development. A member of Desjardins’ senior management since 2001, Leroux was president of Desjardins Financial Corporation and CEO of the subsidiaries, including Desjardins Financial Security (personal insurance) and Desjardins General Insurance Group (property and casualty insurance).

6 Marsh Canada Limited has teamed up with Readysmith Advisers Limited to launch a service helping Canadian organizations develop business continuity programs. Through ReadyMarsh, Marsh will assist clients perform specialized risk assessments and develop procedures for emergency response, crisis management, business continuity and information technology disaster recovery. Ready- MarshSM is designed for small and medium-sized organizations and combines the advisory services of Marsh with Readysmith’s 24/7, Web-hosted and Wiki technology- based business continuity planning environment.

7 Granite Global Solutions Inc., the holding company of McLarens Canada, Sibley & Associates, King Reed & Associates and Rochon Engineering, has announced a series of board and executive appointments. John Chippendale, vice chairman of HKMB Hub International, and Richard Evans [a], a past president of Liberty Insurance Company of Canada, have been appointed to Granite’s board. Duncan Smith [b] is the new chief financial officer of Granite and Will W. Chang is vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Smith most recently served as CFO of EISI. Chang’s previous post was head of legal services for Transat Holidays.

8 Chesterfield Canada Inc. has announced its sponsorship of Ontario Hockey League Player Dalton Smith [8]. In his second season with the Ottawa 67s, Smith has scored 21 goals and added 23 assists in 62 games. “What attracted us to Dalton is his offensive punch,” said Steve Kilrea, managing director of Chesterfield Canada. “But the strongest asset of his game is perhaps his physical and aggressive nature. He is not known for taking bad penalties, he sticks up for his teammates on a regular basis and is great at using his body to open up space on the ice for teammates. At Chesterfield Canada, we are only too pleased to start the CCI Youth Sponsorship Programme by supporting this raw talent in the Canadian Youth league. We wish Dalton every success.”

9 ACE Canada observed the 25th anniversary of its parent company, ACE Group, by participating in a global day of service. In Canada, ACE employees volunteered with the following organizations:

• East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club: Assisted the agency in implementing its High Five activities day.

• ACCES: Coached job-seekers who are principally new immigrants to Canada, by providing consultative advice on effective interview techniques and resume review.

• Horizons for Youth’s ‘Revitalize 2010′ initiative: Cooked, painted and cleaned at the agency’s facilities.

• The Good Neighbour’s Club: Assisted the chef in creating a four-course meal for the agency’s members.

• Mid-Toronto Community Services: Helped seniors and adults with disabilities, by assisting the agency’s staff with transportation to and from a planned group activity.

• University Settlement Recreation Centre’s ‘Out of the Cold’ program: Prepared and served dinner for University Settlement’s homeless clients.

• Sistering-A Woman’s Place: Helped to prepare lunch for Sistering’s more than 200 homeless and under-housed clients.