Sun Life Financial names Isabelle Hudon as Executive Chair and Robert Dumas as President in Quebec

Changes will support Sun Life Financial's growing business in Quebec and national business strategy 

MONTREAL, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial announced today two executive leaders from Quebec will have new roles to support its growing business in Quebec and across the country. These new appointments will also result in increased leadership from Quebec on Sun Life Financial's Canadian Executive Team.  

• Isabelle Hudon, President of Sun Life Financial Quebec becomes Executive Chair, Sun Life Financial Quebec, a newly created role, and Senior Vice-President of Client Solutions, one of Sun Life Financial's businesses in Canada.
• Robert Dumas, Senior Vice-President, Group Business, Quebec, becomes President of Sun Life Financial Quebec to continue to drive the accelerated growth that has been experienced over the past four years.

"Our business in Quebec has never been stronger, the time is right for Isabelle Hudon and Robert Dumas to move into these new roles with increased responsibilities," said Kevin Dougherty, President, Sun Life Financial Canada. "Isabelle and Robert will not only build on the success that we've had in our Quebec business but they will play significant roles as we continue to grow our business across the country."

In Quebec, Sun Life Financial's operations have been transformed by a strategy put in place four years ago that has grown the business, client base and brand presence. Sun Life Financial's insurance sales in Quebec more than doubled while wealth sales in the province more than tripled between 2010 and 2013.

As Executive Chair, Sun Life Financial Quebec, Isabelle will provide leadership, strategic advice and guidance as she continues to deepen Sun Life Financial's business and community relationships in the province.

In her role as Senior Vice-President, Client Solutions, Isabelle will gain new national business development responsibilities leading a pivotal business in Sun Life Financial's Canadian operations. Isabelle will be responsible for the national growth strategy in Client Solutions and will focus upon continuing to broaden relationships with Sun Life Financial's group pension and benefits customers, and retail clients across Canada. Isabelle will continue to report to Kevin Dougherty, President, Sun Life Financial Canada and be based in Montreal. She succeeds Chris Denys in Client Solutions, who has been appointed Chief Financial Officer for Sun Life Financial's Canadian business.

"I'm very proud of what we've accomplished with the transformation of our business in Quebec over the past four years," said Isabelle Hudon, the new Executive Chair for Sun Life Financial Quebec and Senior Vice-President for Client Solutions. "With this new challenge, I believe that I will have the best of both worlds with the opportunity to lead the expansion of our Client Solutions business across Canada, while continuing to contribute to the strategic vision of Sun Life Financial in Quebec."

As the new President, Sun Life Financial Quebec, Robert Dumas will further expand Sun Life Financial's footprint in the province. He will be responsible for evolving Sun Life Financial's overall strategy and growth plans in Quebec across all lines of business. Robert played a significant role in the expansion of Sun Life Financial's group businesses in Quebec since joining Sun Life Financial two years ago from Mercer where he was well known for his expertise and his ability to expand client relationships. He also led Sun Life Financial's Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP) launch – a group retirement solution to help Quebecers working for small to mid-sized companies to save for retirement in their workplace. 

"Appointing Robert Dumas as President of our Quebec business is a natural next step," said Kevin Dougherty, President, Sun Life Financial Canada. "Robert will be able to build upon our momentum and lead the exciting next chapter of Sun Life Financial's history in Quebec."

Robert Dumas is looking forward to his new leadership role. "It's great to have this opportunity to continue to grow our business by meeting the needs of more clients and advisors in Quebec," said Robert Dumas, Sun Life Financial Quebec's new president. "Sun Life has deep roots in this province dating back almost 150 years and we have innovative plans to continue to fuel our growth and serve Quebecers for many generations to come."

The new appointments are effective Monday, October 27.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in key markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2014 the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $684 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Canada