Quebec financial co-operative Desjardins Group Wednesday announced several changes to its senior management team.
Desjardins says the changes will allow Monique Leroux to continue focusing on the major strategic issues facing Desjardins Group as she begins her second term as chairwoman, president and CEO. The changes will also allow her to further dedicate herself to the promotion of the co-operative movement, a particularly important task in this International Year of Cooperatives.
The duties of Marc Laplante, senior executive vice president, will be expanded. Effective immediately, he will assume the title of senior executive vice president, Desjardins Group, and general manager of the Federation. This new designation specifies and confirms Laplante’s role and responsibilities at the Federation, while reflecting his various responsibilities at the Desjardins Group level.
A member of the Ordre des comptables agréés, Laplante has over 25 years of experience in very diverse fields of expertise in finance and financial services, for both individuals and businesses alike. He has been with Desjardins since 1986.
Retirements and appointments
Desjardins announced the retirement of senior vice president, people and culture, Jacques Dignard, and that of senior vice president, finance and treasury and chief financial officer, Raymond Laurin. Dignard will be leaving Desjardins on March 31, and Laurin will relinquish his current duties on May 14, while continuing to act as strategic consultant to Desjardins Group management until the end of 2012.
As a result of these departures, Desjardins announced several appointments.
Normand Desautels, who is currently senior vice president and general manager, personal services, has been appointed senior vice president and general manager, personal services and human capital.
A seasoned manager and member of l’Ordre des CGA du Québec, Desautels has been with Desjardins since 1972. He has several years of experience in human resources management and is a management graduate of the Western Executive Program of the University of Western Ontario’s School of Business.
Daniel Dupuis is appointed, effective May 14, to the position of senior vice president, finance, and chief financial officer. Dupuis, who until recently held the position of senior vice president, co-operative network support, has been with Desjardins for close to 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from HEC Montréal and is a member of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec.
Following this appointment, the chief treasurer Jacques Descôteaux and his team will be transferred to the Caisse centrale Desjardins and Capital Desjardins Inc. executive division, led by Louis-Daniel Gauvin.
Effective April 2, Guy Cormier will be promoted to the position left open by Dupuis namely, senior vice president, co-operative network support. Prior to this appointment, Cormier held the position of vice president, co-operative network finance. With a master’s degree in Business Administration from HEC Montréal, he has been with Desjardins for over 20 years.
Réal Bellemare, currently executive vice president, risk management, is now senior vice president, risk management. Bellemare holds an MBA in small business and international management from HEC Montréal. He has several years of experience in risk management.
Based in Lévis, Que., Desjardins Group is the leading co-operative financial group in Canada with assets of $190 billion.