iA Financial Group is reorganizing the management of two business units and is moving Sean O’Brien into the position of Executive Vice-President of Wealth Management, as a result of the changes.
The company made the announcement in May and the changes are effective immediately. O’Brien, who was previously the Executive Vice-President of Dealer Services and Special Risks, will replace Carl Mustos, who left iA Financial Group to take up new challenges.
As part of that management shuffle, François Blais, previously President of iA Auto and Home Insurance and Prysm General Insurance, will now step into the role of Executive Vice-President of Dealer Services and Special Risks.
“It is for us a growth-oriented reorganization that will position iA Financial Group even better in the Canadian Wealth Management market and address future challenges in this industry,” said Mike L. Stickney, Executive Vice-President and Chief Growth Officer at iA Financial Group. “Sean and François will bring their expertise and leadership to Individual Wealth Management and Dealer Services and Special Risks units respectively.”
O’Brien is considered by the company to be a “strong entrepreneur” who has held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Ontario‐based CTL Corp. — which was acquired by iA Financial Group in October 2015. O’Brien was then appointed to the positions of President of iA Auto Finance and Executive Vice-President, Dealer Services and Special Risks.
As he steps into his new position, Blais steps into his old role. The company recognizes him for his ability to combine creativity and rationality, and for his leadership abilities. He joined iA Auto and Home Insurance in 2004 and held various positions in the Actuarial Department, including Vice-President.
“He was the company’s appointed actuary from 2014 to 2016,” said iA Financial Group. “In May 2017, he took on a new challenge when he became iA Financial Group’s Vice-President and Chief Data and Analytics Officer.”
In 2018, he returned to iA Auto and Home Insurance as Chief Operating Officer and was appointed president of the company in 2019.
