![New president and CEO for Empire Life](https://www.benefitscanada.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2010/12/microphone-sky-news.jpg)
Mark Sylvia has been named president and CEO of Empire Life, effective June 2, 2014.
He will succeed Les Herr, who will be stepping down as CEO at the end of the month.
“Mr. Sylvia has an impressive track record of leading and growing mid-size and specialty insurance companies in Canada by focusing on service, simplicity and strategic partnerships,” says Duncan Jackman, chairman, CEO and president of E-L Financial Corp. Ltd. and chairman of the board of Empire Life.
Sylvia comes to Empire Life from his current role as president of Clarity Underwriting Managers, an insurance consultancy firm he founded in 2010.
From 1999 to 2010, he served as CEO of Echelon General Insurance Company, president and chief operating officer of Trent Health Insurance Service and Canadian Insurance Marketing, all of which were affiliated companies of EGI Financial Holdings.
From 1988 until 1999, Sylvia was president and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance Company of Canada.
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