Denis Berthiaume has rejoined Desjardins Group as senior vice president and general manager, wealth management and life and health insurance, the Quebec-based financial services co-operative said Thursday.

Berthiaume will take up his new position on September 7 and will succeed Bruno Morin, who will retire on December 31 after 38 years with the Quebec-based financial services co-operative.

Morin will remain general manager of Caisse centrale Desjardins and of Capital Desjardins Inc. and will continue to act as General Manager of Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins. He will also continue to sit on the board of directors of some Desjardins Group components.

Berthiaume has an impressive career path and significant experience in the field of financial institutions. Before joining Desjardins Group, he was senior vice president, retail markets for Standard Life Canada. This marks a return to Desjardins Group for Berthiaume as he previously worked for 10 years with Desjardins Financial Security, where he quickly moved up the ranks during that period.

In his new position, Berthiaume will be responsible for a team at Desjardins Group of nearly 4,800 people that handles manufacturing life and health insurance and specialized savings products, the integrated distribution of these products through the caisse network or through complementary channels for clients with specialized needs. The team will also oversee marketing for the sector’s activities to support the caisse network and the back-office services.

“We are lucky to have a high-calibre manager such as Mr. Berthiaume on our team,” says Monique Leroux, president and CEO of Desjardins Group. “His vast experience, notably in the Canadian savings markets, will allow him to develop the activities of Desjardins Group’s wealth management and life and health insurance sector to increase its major role not only in Quebec, but throughout the country.”

Berthiaume will also sit on the Desjardins Group management committee. His major challenge will be to increase Desjardins Group’s market share, especially savings for members and clients with specialized needs, as well as life and health insurance in the caisses, oversee the evolution of distribution networks through various channels and support the rollout of an integrated offer to caisses in wealth management and life and health insurance.

Berthiaume graduated from Université Laval (Quebec City) with a bachelor of actuarial studies; he is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and of the Society of Actuaries.