A new President and CEO will be taking the reins at Empire Life on June 2.
Mark Sylvia has been appointed president and CEO of Empire Life in Toronto, effective June 2, 2014, succeeding Les Herr, who is stepping down as the CEO at the end of May.
“Mr. Sylvia has an impressive track record of leading and growing mid-size and specialty insurance companies in Canada by focusing on service, simplicity and strategic partnerships,” said Duncan Jackman, chairman, CEO and president of E-L Financial Corp. Ltd. and chairman of the board of Empire Life, in making the announcement.
Sylvia comes to Empire Life from his current role as president of Clarity Underwriting Managers, an insurance consultancy firm he founded in 2010.
From 1999 to 2010, he served as CEO of Echelon General Insurance Company, president and chief operating officer of Trent Health Insurance Service and Canadian Insurance Marketing, all of which were affiliated companies of EGI Financial Holdings. From 1988 until 1999, Sylvia was president and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance Company of Canada.
Les Herr became president and CEO of Empire Life in 2008, nine years after joining the company as Director of Sales, Central Canada. Prior to becoming president, Herr was a member of the executive leadership team as Vice-President, Individual Sales and Distribution and then Executive Vice-President, Retail, with responsibility for the entire Individual Products business line.
“Mr. Sylvia has an impressive track record of leading and growing mid-size and specialty insurance companies in Canada by focusing on service, simplicity and strategic partnerships,” said Duncan Jackman, chairman, CEO and president of E-L Financial Corp. Ltd. and chairman of the board of Empire Life, in making the announcement.
Sylvia comes to Empire Life from his current role as president of Clarity Underwriting Managers, an insurance consultancy firm he founded in 2010.
From 1999 to 2010, he served as CEO of Echelon General Insurance Company, president and chief operating officer of Trent Health Insurance Service and Canadian Insurance Marketing, all of which were affiliated companies of EGI Financial Holdings. From 1988 until 1999, Sylvia was president and CEO of Hartford Life Insurance Company of Canada.
Les Herr became president and CEO of Empire Life in 2008, nine years after joining the company as Director of Sales, Central Canada. Prior to becoming president, Herr was a member of the executive leadership team as Vice-President, Individual Sales and Distribution and then Executive Vice-President, Retail, with responsibility for the entire Individual Products business line.
