Moves (January 01, 2007)

The CIP Society has named J.R. (Bob) Tisdale, vice president of Allstate Canada Group, and president and chief operating officer of Pembridge Insurance Company and Pafco Insurance Company, as the 2006 recipient of the GTA Fellow of Distinction Award. Carla Blackmore, chair of the CIP Society-Ontario, said: “Bob Tisdale’s remarkable ability to spend quality time with his family, contribute to his community, be a role model for minor league hockey players, serve in leadership roles for his employer, conduct training and participate on industry committees all while continuing to take courses and obtain designations is definitely an inspiration to others.” The Fellow of Distinction Award was created to recognize outstanding achievement in the insurance industry in Toronto, says a CIP news release. Recipients are nominated by colleagues in the insurance industry.

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The Saskatchewan law firm of Robertson Stromberg Pedersen LLP has become the ninth independent Canadian firm to join The ARC Group Canada Inc. The ARC Group is a network of independent law firms across Canada focusing on the areas of insurance law and risk management. With offices in Regina and Saskatoon, Robertson Stromberg Pedersen LLP is one of the largest firms in the province of Saskatchewan. The firm was established after the 2003 merger of two of the province’s oldest law firms – Robertson Stromberg and Pedersen with Norman, McLeod & Todd. Members of The ARC Group provide a wide range of services to insurers, self-insured companies, and other entities requiring assistance with insurance and risk-related legal matters involving coverage and defence issues.

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ACE INA Insurance, part of the ACE Group of Companies, has opened a new Montreal office. Located at 1800, avenue McGill College, the office will provide commercial property and casualty insurance for the Quebec and Eastern Canadian market. “The opening of this new office in Montreal represents a significant milestone in our expansion strategy,” said ACE INA Insurance president and CEO Daniel Courtemanche. “Establishing a greater physical presence in Montreal will allow us to increase our market share while providing our Quebec-based clients with local underwriting expertise.”

Alison Debroux, vice president and branch manager, has been appointed to expand the market presence of the Montreal office and its product portfolio. The office will have access to all commercial product lines offered by ACE Canada. Debroux has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry. “Alison is a seasoned insurance executive who will ably lead our Montreal underwriting division,” said Paul Primiani, the company’s chief underwriting officer. “Alison began her career in Quebec and understands this unique market very well.”

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Binks Insurance Brokers of Ottawa and Globalex of Montreal have announced a joint venture agreement to provide specialty insurance brokerage services to Ottawa’s technology sector.

“The Ottawa technology community will be pleased to learn about the spin-off of our technology division,” Binks Insurance Brokers Ltd. president and CEO Harry Binks said in a press release. “The new firm, Globalex Risk Management (Ottawa) Inc., will focus exclusively on technology, biotechnology and venture capital firms.

“Our clients will be looked after by former Binks staff and Globalex will operate out of the Binks office.” Binks Insurance Brokers is “still a healthy, ongoing” enterprise, with 29 staff members, Binks added. “We will now concentrate on other niches apart from high tech.” The new spin-off firm, to be called Globalex Ottawa, will focus on technology, biotechnology and venture capital firms. It will have a global reach through its partnership with TechAssure, an international association for technology insurance brokers.