Kitchener, Ont.-based Financial Horizons Group Inc. (FHG) announced on Tuesday that Nick Pszeniczny, an executive with Winnipeg-based Great-West Life Assurance Co. (GWL), will be appointed president and CEO of FHG as the managing general agency (MGA) settles in under its new ownership at GWL.
Pszeniczny is currently executive vice president of the advisory network, which is the combined distribution organization for GWL and its sister companies: Toronto-based Canada Life Assurance Co. and London, Ont.-based London Life Insurance Co.
Effective July 1, Pszeniczny will leave GWL, London Life and Canada Life to join FHG, which GWL acquired in May 2017.
John Hamilton, founder and CEO of FHG will make the transition to the role of founder and senior advisor and remain a member of FHG’s board of directors.
“Over a 35-year career, [Pszeniczny] has developed a deep understanding of the needs of advisors and is the right person to lead and grow our business further in the coming years,” said Hamilton, in a statement. “I would like to congratulate [Pszeniczny] on his appointment and welcome him to FHG.”
FHG has a network of 6,600 advisors operating in 30 offices across Canada.
“I thank [Hamilton] for his leadership and vision that has built our organization to what it is today,” Pszeniczny said in a statement.
Hamilton will continue to operate at FHG’s head office in Kitchener. He will be a resource to FHG’s senior management team, maintaining his focus on the company’s growth mandate and active acquisition strategy, the company said.
FHG noted that its current board of directors and governance will remain independent, and its relationships with its current supplier companies will remain integral to its growth.
Meanwhile, as Pszeniczny shifts into his new role, Hugh Moncrieff has been appointed executive vice president, advisory network and industry affairs at GWL, London Life and Canada Life, according to a separate announcement released by Stefan Kristjanson, president and chief operating officer at the companies, on Tuesday.
“Advisors are critical to our continued growth and ability to deliver for our customers,” Kristjanson said in his announcement. “Over the next year, we’ll be paying special attention to building on these key partnerships.”
Moncrieff currently is senior vice president, advice channel regulatory strategy at GWL, London Life and Canada Life. He previously was head of GWL’s Gold Key distribution network.
Moncrieff also will be responsible for leading the company’s activities related to public policy and industry affairs, including coordinating the teams involved in the company’s legal, risk, compliance, strategy and communication groups in his new role.
In addition, Jeff Macoun has been appointed deputy chief operating officer, Canada, at GWL, London Life and Canada Life. He is currently executive vice president, group customers. As part of his new responsibilities in that role, Macoun will assume executive leadership for distribution. He also will continue to act as executive leader of the group customer business unit.