Toronto-based Manulife Financial Corp. on Monday announced that Cindy Forbes has been appointed chief analytics officer, effective April 1.
In this newly created role, Forbes will be responsible for expanding Manulife’s analytical capabilities from both internal and external sources, and monitoring and introducing advanced analytic solutions to the business. She will report directly to Paul Rooney, senior executive vice president and chief operating officer.
“Analytics are fundamental to Manulife’s customer-centric strategy and the overall improvement of our decision making,” says Rooney, in a statement. “Cindy will be responsible for building the company’s analytic capability and providing this information to our business leaders to enhance the company’s top and bottom line performance.”
Forbes has held a wide range of senior positions within Manulife’s investment, reinsurance, group functions and Asia divisions, and was most recently executive vice president and chief actuary. Forbes was also named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2015.
Steve Finch, who was most recently chief financial officer of John Hancock Financial Services, has been appointed executive vice president and chief actuary. Finch will lead Manulife’s worldwide actuarial function, including valuation of policyholder liabilities and capital management. In the role of chief actuary, he will be responsible for determining the amount of insurance contract liabilities in accordance with the standards established by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Finch joins Manulife’s executive committee and will report directly to Steve Roder, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer.