The Insurance Institute of Canada elects Intact Insurance president Jean-François Blais as chair of board of governors

The Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) has elected Jean-François Blais, president of Intact Insurance, as chair of its board of governors.

The Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) has elected Jean-François Blais, president of Intact Insurance, as chair of its board of governors.

The IIC elected Blais at its 63^rd annual general meeting on Oct. 25 in Charlottetown, P.E.I., the institute said in a press release issued on Thursday.

Blais has been president of Intact Insurance since 2011. Previously, he led AXA Canada’s operations for seven years as a board member and chief executive. He was elected deputy chairman of IIC in November 2015, IIC said in the release, adding that Blais has a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from Laval University and is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

“I am pleased to assume this leadership role at the Insurance Institute, which has a distinguished tradition of supporting the careers and growth of Canadian p&c insurance professionals,” Blais said in the release. “As the p&c industry continues to evolve, it is important for insurance professionals to continue to develop and advance their skills, and improve their knowledge to grow professionally and personally.”

IIC’s 2016-17 executive committee of the board of governors also includes:

• Lynn Oldfield, president and CEO of AIG Insurance Company of Canada (deputy chair of the board);

• J. (Jeff) Goy, president and CEO of the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (vice chair, governor at large); and

• R. (Bob) Tisdale, president and COO of Pembridge and Pafco Insurance Companies (immediate past chair).

Elected regional vice chairs are: Robert Katzell, (Western provinces); Tom Reikman (Ontario); Simon Charbonneau, (Québec); and Kathy Stewart (Atlantic provinces). Divisional vice chairs are: Michael Wills (Academic) and Mike Kosturik (Professionals’).

The IIC is the premier professional education body for the property & casualty insurance industry in Canada. It sets professional standards for the industry through education programs, “leading to a range of designations such as the internationally recognized Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP).” Established in 1899, the institute is a not-for-profit organization serving more than 39,000 members across Canada through 19 volunteer-driven provincial institutes and chapters.