Western Financial Group appoints Paul Taylor as new president and CEO

Paul Taylor has taken on duties as president and of Western Financial Group, effective July 6.

As part of his new role, Taylor will oversee Western Financial’s network of insurance brokerages, as well as lead all company business units, including Western Financial Group Insurance Solutions, Western Financial Insurance Company (Petsecure) and Western Life Assurance Company, notes a statement Monday from the company and its Board of Directors (BoD).

Having a diverse background in both the private and public sectors, Taylor most recently served as president of TransAlta’s business operations in the United States and as a corporate director on the TransAlta Renewables BoD.

In addition, Taylor (left) is a former president and CEO of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, as well as an ICBC chair and director, a past Chief of Staff for the Premier of British Columbia, a former deputy finance minister in B.C., and a past secretary to Treasury Board in B.C.

Taylor takes the reins from Scott Tannas, company founder and interim president and CEO, and both will oversee a smooth transition period, the statement notes. Tannas thereafter will resume his previous role as vice chairman and founder of Western Financial, focusing on the areas of governance, community and employee relations, and continue to serve as a Canadian Senator.

“Mr. Taylor’s prior roles give him the expertise and perspective to lead Western to a successful future and I look forward to working alongside him,” Tannas notes in the statement. He is a “proven leader, and is a great fit with Western’s values of truthfulness, fairness, value and loyalty. He is the right choice to help Western continue to be a leader in the Canadian insurance industry,” Tannas (below right) says.

“His extensive experience, solid track record of leadership combined with his values make him the ideal individual to lead our team, says Jim Dinning, chair of the Western Financial BoD.

Adds Taylor, “I look forward to working with the great team at Western as we strive to serve the needs of our customers across the west.”

Western Financial Group – founded in 1996 and headquartered in High River, Alberta – serves more than 800,000 customers across Western Canada. It provides personal and business insurance services through more than 160 office locations and affiliates and online at Western Financial’s website.