Moves and Views

1 Munich Reinsurance Company of Canada recently announced the appointment of Philipp Wassenberg [1] as president and chief executive officer of both Munich Re Canada and Temple Insurance Company. Wassenberg will serve on the Boards of Directors of both companies. In his new role, he will be responsible for the operation of all of Munich Re’s non-life business in Canada. Holding a PhD in public international and European law, Wassenberg joined Munich Re’s office in Munich, Germany in 2000 as a general liability and directors’ and officers’ liability underwriter, later transferring to Canada to serve as head of casualty treaty in the reinsurer’s global clients/North America division.

2 In mid-October, Brian Mills took over duties as acting chief executive officer of the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) and acting superintendent of financial services following the retirement of Philip Howell. Mills previously served as FSCO’s deputy superintendent of pensions. Before joining FSCO, his other positions included vice president of administration for the Ontario Pension Board and managing partner at Towers Perrin.

3 T. Neil Morrison [3a], executive vice president of operations for Hub International Ltd. in Toronto, has been elected as chair of the Insurance Institute of Canada’s Board of Governors. The other members of the board’s 2014-2015 executive committee are deputy chair Bob Tisdale [3b], president and chief operating officer of Pembridge Insurance Company of Canada and Pafco Insurance Company; immediate past chair Silvy Wright [3c], president and chief executive officer of Northbridge Financial Corporation, and vice chair and governor at large Jean-François Blais [3d], president of Intact Insurance. The regional vice chairs are Glenda Ouellette, western provinces; Chantal Gagnon, Quebec; Pat Van Bakel, Ontario; and Darrel Coates, Atlantic provinces, while the divisional vice chairs are Michael Wills, academic, and Julie Pingree, professionals.

4 New Brunswick-based Plant Hope Adjusters Ltd. has opened two new offices in Nova Scotia, reports company president Fred Plant [4a]. Plant Hope Adjusters opened its first Nova Scotia office in 2013. In the newly opened office in Antigonish, Doug Stewart [4b], whose expertise includes commercial and personal property, general liability and municipal liability, and Jason MacLellan [4c], who has worked in the restoration business as a project manager, estimator and water restoration technician, will cover eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. Bruce Olie [4d], who has, among others, certification in inspection, cleaning and restoration, will cover the western and southern areas of Nova Scotia from the new office in Annapolis Valley. Company services include loss investigation, marine surveying and claims management.

5 Paul Meinschenk was recently named vice president of sales and producer management for the commercial insurance carrier, CNA Canada. Meinschenk has previously served as vice president of broker distribution at Simmlands Insurance Services Limited and has held leadership positions at Berkley Canada and Creechurch International.

6 Property restoration firm Winmar Franchise Corp. has hired Sean Hobson [6] as vice president of national programs. Hobson has more than 18 years in sales and operations roles in the restoration, insurer, adjusting and brokerage fields, notes a statement from Winmar. He has qualifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, and holds the Certified Insurance Professional designation.

7 A wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operators General Insurance Company has purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of a company that operates Drost Insurance Brokerage, based in Bath, New Brunswick, for an undisclosed amount. “This acquisition fits well with our growth strategy, which calls for an expansion of our distribution system in the Atlantic region and throughout Canada,” Kathy Bardswick, president and chief executive officer of The Co-operators, says in a statement. Drost Insurance principal Michael Blanchard will remain on to help with the transition for a year following the closing.

8 Firstbrook Cassie & Anderson Limited announced in November that it had become a member of Global Broker Network (GBN) Worldwide Ltd., an international network with more than 5,000 insurance professionals, including brokers, carriers, suppliers and underwriters. “With our experience in the international market, at FCA we believe that GBN is a key new partner for us to deliver solutions for both Canadian and global businesses, wherever they operate,” says FCA chairman John van Bilsen.

9 Ron Pavelack [9] is the new vice president, Quebec for Echelon General Insurance Company, owned by EGI Financial Holdings Inc. With 37 years of experience in property and casualty insurance, Pavelack has held senior positions with Federation Insurance Company, Missisquoi Insurance Company and L’Union Canadienne.

10 Phillip Best has been named head of market management for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE, effective November 1. Best will be responsible for oversight, service and growth of all Canadian brokers and clients for both specialty and corporate market management, AGCS reports. He is a former head of marine, Canada, for the commercial insurer, and has also worked at Commonwealth Insurance Company, Marsh & McLennan, William H. McGee & Company and Elliott Special Risks.

11 Carl Warren & Company and Strategic International Advisers have formed an alliance to provide third-party administration services to clients in the United States and Canada. Among others, Toronto-based SIAdvisers provides subrogation claim recovery, litigation oversight and dispute resolution, while California-based Carl Warren & Company offers litigation management and subrogation services in the U.S.