Moves and Views

1 The Travelers Companies Inc. has completed its acquisition of The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company from E-L Financial Corporation Ltd. The combined organization, which will be referred to as Travelers Canada, will remain headquartered in Toronto, Travelers Companies reports. Brigid Murphy, formerly president of The Dominion, is now president and CEO of Travelers Canada. “We look forward to leveraging the strengths and expertise of both organizations to deliver an expanded range of products and an even higher level of service,” says Alan Schnitzer, vice chairman and head of Travelers’ financial, professional and international insurance business segment.

2 Intact Financial Corporation has made several changes to its executive committee as of December 1. Louis Gagnon [2a], former president and chief operating officer, is now president of service and distribution, notes a statement from Intact. In his new role, Gagnon will oversee the development and the expansion of the company’s direct operations – belairdirect and Grey Power – as well as expansion of its proprietary distribution network. Mark Tullis [2b], former chief financial officer and senior vice president, is now executive vice president of governance and capital management. Tullis is responsible for developing an integrated approach to the company’s oversight functions. He will also oversee the finance, compliance, legal and audit activities and will assume greater responsibilities in the strategic management of Intact’s capital by overseeing its investment management activities. Louis Marcotte [2c], former senior vice president of strategic distribution, is now senior vice president and chief financial officer. Marc Pontbriand [2d], president of direct to consumers distribution, retires at year’s end.

3 The Board of Directors for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) announced in November the permanent appointment of Mark Blucher [3] as president and CEO. Blucher has held the position of interim president and CEO since October 2012, and before that, was senior vice president of insurance, notes a statement from ICBC. As well, Paul Taylor’s term as board chair has been extended until January 17, 2017.

4 Brovada Technologies Inc. has obtained Centre for Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO) Certification for eDocs. “By obtaining CSIO Certification for our eDocs solution, we’re confident that brokers and insurers using our technology will support eDocs downloads as efficiently as possible,” Michael Wright, senior vice president of operations at Brovada, notes in a CSIO statement. Brovada is a software provider specializing in business process integration, system conversions, legacy system integrations and broker connectivity with offices in Ontario and New Brunswick. CSIO data exchange standards are company-neutral and are designed to help solve data compatibility issues, facilitate more efficient and seamless integration of information, and improve implementation of technology solutions.

5 Silvy Wright [5], president and CEO of Northbridge Financial Corporation, is now chair of the Board of Governors for the Insurance Institute of Canada. Wright is a former president of Market Insurance Company. As part of its recent board elections, the Insurance Institute reports T. Neil Morrison, president and CEO of Hub International HKMB Ontario Ltd., will serve as the new deputy chair, and J.R. (Bob) Tisdale, president and chief operating officer of Pembridge and Pafco Insurance Companies, will serve as vice-chair and governor at large.

6 Chris Floyd [6] will serve as the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario’s new president for 2014. Floyd formally assumes his new role as president on January 1, 2014, replacing Debbie Thompson of Beyond Insurance Brokers Inc. Floyd, president of individual insurance for the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP), began his insurance career as a claims adjuster at Gore Mutual Insurance in 1986 and joined OTIP in 1994. He is a Chartered Insurance Professional and a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors Program from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management.

7 Claims services firm Cunningham Lindsey announced in November that Lee Powell [7] is now director of property claims for the company’s commercial risk division. “As a highly skilled and specialized loss adjuster, Lee has handled large and complex multi-million-dollar losses involving commercial property, commercial and product liability, and environmental claims,” the firm notes. He has more than 16 years of insurance adjusting experience and has served as the control adjuster “for a number of significant accounts.”

8 New York City-based Marsh Inc. has appointed Donald Bailey as head of sales for the brokerage and risk management firm’s United States and Canada division. Bailey has previously held positions as president of emerging business for The Allstate Corporation, CEO of Willis North America Inc., and CEO of Willis HRH. Based in New York City, his new appointment took effect December 2. In this newly created position, Bailey will work to increase the effectiveness and capacity of Marsh’s sales team and will work closely with its global team.

9 John Trozzo, president of the Property Casualty and Underwriting Club, is now a partner with Bullseye Imagery and Inspection Services, which offers loss prevention and risk control services. “Servicing insurers, brokers/ agents and risk managers since 1989, John brings extensive risk management and loss prevention experience to the executive team,” a company announcement says. 

10 Scott Marshall [10] has joined the claims services firm Cunningham Lindsey as its transportation fleet director, central region. Marshall was previously a transportation/equipment/cargo specialist “at a national insurance adjusting company and brings 34 years of experience in the industry,” notes Cunningham Lindsey. In his new role, he will be responsible for recruiting, training and mentoring transportation fleet services adjusters. 

11 Bell & Grant Insurance Limited and Assurance Goguen Champlain – the former having 124 years of experience and the latter opening its doors in 1915 – will merge with Fraser & Hoyt Insurance (2011) Inc. to create the leading commercial insurance brokerage in Atlantic Canada. The merger is to take effect January 1, 2014. Goguen Champlain Insurance has operated in Moncton for 67 years. The three firms will continue to operate under their existing titles, although employees in Fraser & Hoyt’s Halifax office will relocate to a Bell & Grant office, notes a company statement.