Desjardins Financial Security (DFS) today announced the appointments of two vice presidents at its group and business insurance unit.

Dan Poole was named vice-president of strategic planning implementation for group and business insurance. The creation of this new position is a result of the strategic direction to expand the presence of DFS across Canada.

“Our new structure allows us to grow at a pace greater than the market, while ensuring we provide our clients with quality customer service and reduced costs,” said Alain Thauvette, senior vp, group and business insurance at DFS, in a release. “Mr. Poole’s new responsibilities will include implementing the new strategic plan. This is a major step forward for this business line.”

Poole holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. He is currently completing an M.B.A. from Queen’s University. Previously he was vice-president of sales for group and business insurance for Ontario, Atlantic and Western Canada.

André Simard was appointed national vice president of sales, group and business insurance.

“During the last five years, Desjardins Financial Security built a presence among Canadian leaders in group and business insurance, doubling our inforce, which now stand at $1.2 billion,” said Thauvette. “Mr. Simard’s expanded responsibilities encompass all sales operations and customer service. His mandate is to expand the Desjardins Financial Security group and business insurance client base across Canada. The sales offices in Halifax, Levis, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver will all be under his responsibility as well as sales, public and parapublic groups. ”

Simard has an MBA from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal. He has more than 22 years of experience in group insurance; 10 with Desjardins Financial Security. Previously he was vice president of sales, group and business insurance for Quebec.

DFS, a subsidiary of the Desjardins Group, the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in life and health insurance as well as retirement savings.