The new insurance company that combines SSQ and La Capitale has unveiled its management team.
Former SSQ Insurance CEO Jean-François Chalifoux, will become President and CEO of the new business. Jean St-Gelais, formerly Chairman of the Board and CEO of La Capitale, has been named Chairman of the Board of Directors. He will also lead the Integration Steering Committee.
The merger has spawned a plethora of appointments. Jean-François Chalifoux told the Insurance Portal that some of the employees who are vacating positions will play new roles that he left unspecified, while others are choosing “to take on new challenges.” Notably, Mario Albert, currently Executive Vice President, Group Insurance and director of the transformation program at La Capitale, will be leaving in a few weeks.
Albert is being replaced by Éric Trudel, who was named Executive Vice President and Leader, Group Insurance. Trudel served as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Product Management at SSQ Insurance. Albert told the Portal that he holds no resentment against the insurer, and had frank and open discussions with Chalifoux in the context of the reconfiguration.
“Jean-François wanted someone who could stay for another five years, and this was not part of my plans. I am 63-years-old and in excellent health. I plan to remain busy and involved. I still want to contribute to the files in this sector, as a consultant, researcher and analyst,” Albert explains. After holding managerial positions for 25 years, he wants to focus more on content rather than organizational aspects. “I will be selective and spend less time and energy on everyday management problems,” Albert says.
Former AMF CEO
Among his vast industry experience, Mario Albert directed the Autorité des marchés financiers from 2011 to 2013, after serving as the Superintendent, Client Services, Compensation and Distribution starting in 2007. In fact, he announced the AMF’s intention to regulate online distribution. Albert also acted as assistant and advisor to the Québec Deputy Minister of Finances. Albert was CEO of Investissement Québec from 2013 to 2014, and CEO of Finance Montréal since 2015. He joined La Capitale in April 2017.
Reeling in external talent
SSQ Insurance/La Capitale lured away talent from one of its main competitors in several sectors, Desjardins Group. Stéphane Morency was appointed Executive Vice President and Leader, Strategy, Customer Experience and Marketing. Morency was previously Senior Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Client Experience at Desjardins.
The insurer also sought out tech talent from within the Québec government ranks. Catherine Desgagnés-Belzil was recently named Executive Vice President and Leader, Business Performance and Information Technology. She previously worked as Associate Secretary of the Treasury Board and was the Chief Information Officer for the Quebec government.
At La Capitale
The insurer appointed Christian Fournier Executive Vice President and Leader, Property and Casualty Insurance. He was the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at La Capitale General Insurance.
Pierre Marc Bellavance is taking on the position of Executive Vice President and Leader, Legal Affairs, Compliance and Corporate Secretary. He served as Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary at La Capitale.
Mélissa Gilbert was named Executive Vice President and Leader, Finance. She was Executive Vice President, Finance, Corporate Actuarial and Risk Management at La Capitale.
Lara Nourcy is assuming the position of Executive Vice President and Leader, Individual Insurance and Financial Services. She was Vice President, Customer Experience, Partners and Operations Management at La Capitale.
At SSQ
Patrick Cyr is the new Executive Vice President and Leader, Integration. He was Senior Vice President, Finance at SSQ Insurance.
Martin Robert will become Executive Vice President and Leader, Talent, Culture and Communication. He was previously Vice President, Talent, Culture and Communication at SSQ Insurance.
