Don Forgeron appointed new President and CEO of Insurance Bureau of Canada

TORONTO, April 22 2009 – Rowan Saunders, Chair of the Board of Directors of Insurance Bureau of Canada, announced today that Don Forgeron is taking the helm as IBC’s new President and CEO. The announcement comes at the conclusion of a seven-month search.

“I speak for the entire Board of Directors when I say I am delighted with today’s announcement,” said Mr. Saunders, who is also President and CEO of Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Company of Canada. “We conducted an exhaustive search for a leader with a passion for our industry and the right vision for its future. Candidates came forward from across the country, presenting an array of qualifications and experience. The search committee was impressed by the quantity and quality of applicants, specifically in terms of their backgrounds and their capacities for leadership at a senior level. From their ranks, Don emerged as the clear choice. His selection was endorsed unanimously by the entire Board.”

Mr. Forgeron, who assumes the post immediately, brings extensive experience to the leadership role. He is currently the organization’s Vice-President, Ontario and, prior to that, was IBC’s VP, Atlantic, for 15 years. In addition, he has held leadership roles in IBC’s insurance fraud division and has managed an array of national files, including availability of insurance for the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, and rate regulation reform across the country.

Mr. Forgeron is a native of Louisdale, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. His son and daughter live in Halifax. He and his wife, Linda Kelly, a former CBC television anchor, now make Toronto their home.

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $38 billion.

To view news releases and information, visit the media section of IBC’s website at www.ibc.ca.