GUELPH, ON, March 11, 2019 /CNW/ - The Co-operators today announced the appointment of Alec Blundell as executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Co-operators Life Insurance Company (Co-operators Life) and president and chief operating officer for The CUMIS Group Limited (CUMIS), effective March 18, 2019.

Blundell is currently vice-president, individual insurance and chief actuary, Co-operators Life. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading overall aspects of Life, Group Benefits and Wealth manufacturing and operations for Co-operators Life and CUMIS, including financial management, product development, profitability, and insurance operations. He will also lead the development of a Group Insurance Sales distribution network to deliver a full range of products.

"Alec is an exceptional leader who has played a critical role in developing and growing the individual insurance business and guiding our continued efforts in product development, distribution, pricing and financial analysis," says Rob Wesseling, president and CEO, The Co-operators. "His expertise and commitment to our business, our values and to our clients, have been invaluable and he is well positioned to lead our life, group benefits and wealth business into the future."

Blundell has 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, moving to CUMIS in 1994. In 2010, he relocated to Regina to lead pricing and product support for individual insurance and wealth management at Co-operators Life, and was appointed to his current role in 2013.

"I'm excited to take on this new leadership role and look forward to navigating what will be a very exciting future for the insurance industry and for The Co-operators," says Blundell. "My past experience gives me unique insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the life industry and I'm looking forward to focusing on continued growth, profitability, and most importantly, the financial security of Canadians."

Blundell is a Fellow with the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, and holds a mathematics degree in actuarial science with a minor in statistics from the University of Waterloo. He sits on the board of The Edge Benefits and AZGA Services Canada.

He replaces Kevin Daniel, who was appointed to the position of executive vice-president and chief client officer in December 2018.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $42.5 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies, it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt and Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada. For more information, visit www.cooperators.ca. 

SOURCE The Co-operators