Claude Garcia, president of the Canadian Operations of Standard Life Assurance Company, today announced a major restructuring within the company effective Dec. 24, 2002.

“Our ultimate goal is to strengthen Standard Life’s position in an increasingly competitive business environment. Experience and research has shown that many benefits may result from combining our Marketing and Sales operations so as to create a stronger synergy among the different teams and to focus development efforts on our core product categories,” said Garcia.

Alain Brunet, currently senior vice president, marketing, has been appointed senior vice president, marketing and sales, individual markets.

Roger Renaud, currently senior vice president at Standard Life Investments, has been appointed senior vice president, marketing and sales, group savings and retirement. He will remain closely linked to Standard Life Investments in order to offer clients a combined product range and advantage of our overall expertise.

Joseph Iannicelli has been appointed senior vice president, group insurance, with responsibility for marketing, sales and customer services. Previously he was the vice president, marketing, group life and health. Iannicelli will be based in the Toronto regional office.

Denis Lussier, current senior vice president, sales, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 24, 2002.