Dean Connor, Sun Life Financial Inc.’s president and chief executive officer, is retiring, effective Aug. 6, 2021.
Kevin Strain will take over as president and a member of the organization’s board of directors as of Feb. 15, 2021 and as CEO upon Connor’s retirement. Since 2017, he’s held the role of executive vice-president and chief financial officer, as well as leading the corporate development and enterprise services.
During his time at Sun Life, Strain launched Sun Life Global Investments (now known as SLGI Asset Management Inc.) before assuming leadership of Sun Life Asia in 2012, expanding the company into Vietnam and Malaysia and building its distribution capabilities in the region. He was appointed senior vice-president of individual insurance and investments in 2007 and vice-president of investor relations in 2005.
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“We are confident that [Strain’s] background and career at Sun Life position him well to lead the company into the future,” said Bill Anderson, the organization’s chairman, in a press release. “In addition to his passion for digital innovation and his unrelenting focus on the client, he has a strong track record of transforming businesses and being a successful profit-and-loss leader and finance executive.”
Connor is retiring after spending 14 years at Sun Life, with nearly 10 as president and CEO. His achievements during his tenure include creating a sustainable client-centric culture, fostering collaboration and digital innovation as well as focusing the company on a four-pillar strategy, noted the release.