René Hamel, CEO of SSQ Financial Group, will retire at the end of the year, the Quebec City-based mutual insurance company announced on Wednesday.
Hamel has held senior management positions in general insurance, life and health insurance and investment and retirement since joining SSQ in 1986.
In addition to managing all of SSQ’s activities and leading its expansion across Canada, Hamel is recognized for his social commitment, including his 2013 tenure as co-president of the Centraide/United Way campaign for the Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches region as well his involvement in the insurance industry.
This includes stints as a member of the boards of directors of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. (CLHIA), the Regroupement des assureurs à charte du Québec (RACQ), the Centre de développement en assurances et services financiers de Québec (CDASF) and the Assuris consulting committee.
The appointment of a new CEO is expected promptly to ensure a smooth transition for SSQ, which has almost $11 billion in assets under management (AUM), the company says.