Aviva Canada announces three new executive appointments

Aviva Canada reported Thursday that it has added to its executive teams in risk, claims and information technology.

Bryant Vernon is the new chief claims officer (CCO), Nicole Brouillard is the chief information officer (CIO) and Michel Dionne is the chief risk officer (CRO), the insurer said in a press release.

Bryant Vernon, chief claims officer

Having recently moved to Canada from the United States, Vernon brings “diverse and extensive” claims management experience from companies such as Liberty Mutual and Solera, a Texas-based company that provides risk management and asset protection software and services to the automotive and P&C industries. Prior to joining Aviva Canada this May, Vernon was global head of data science and services at Solera, where he helped insurance carriers improve profitability.

Nicole Brouillard, chief information officer

Aviva’s new CIO officially joined the Canadian leadership team in June. Brouillard recently held the role of CIO at Travelers Canada, and has held leadership roles at TD Canada Trust and Chubb. “Nicole is a strong technology strategist and brings a 20-year track record of delivering advanced technical and business transforming solutions to various Fortune 500 global companies,” the insurer said.

Dionne will assume his role effective Aug. 20. Dionne previously held the title of appointed actuary at Intact Financial Corporation. He brings a deep breadth of knowledge in reserving as well as personal and commercial lines pricing, bringing with him 27 years of experience from Intact to the role. Dionne is a fellow and active committee member of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society.

Michel Dionne, chief risk officer

Other new and interim appointments include:

• Peter Walker as chief technical underwriter. Walker comes from an extensive insurance background, holding various roles at Zurich Insurance Group before joining Aviva Canada’s underwriting team. Walker reports directly to Phil Gibson, who joined the insurer in early 2016 and has assumed the roles of chief underwriting officer and leading the personal lines business
• Mazdak Moini is leading small-medium enterprise in the interim and John Mattioli is heading up global corporate and specialty as executive director
• Jason Storah assumes the role of chief distribution officer
• Ben Isotta-Riches is now chief digital and partnerships officer
• Colin Simpson, chief financial officer, and Danny Davies, chief people officer, remain in their current leadership roles.