Leadership Transition at Canada Life Reinsurance: Eamon Loughnane Steps Up

Leadership Transition at Canada Life Reinsurance

On March 26, 2025, Canada Life Reinsurance made headlines with the announcement of a major change in leadership within its Global Property & Casualty (P&C) Business Unit. After an impressive tenure of over three decades, Gabriel Kelly is set to retire, marking the end of an era for the company.

For 33 years, Kelly has been a pivotal figure in the success story of Canada Life Reinsurance. His journey began in the company’s Dublin office before he took on the role of CEO of LLCBC in Barbados for the last 19 years. Throughout his career, Kelly was at the helm during pivotal moments, especially navigating the challenges faced in the early 2000s. His leadership was key to not just stabilizing the business but also expanding its catastrophe retro business and developing a diverse structured P&C portfolio.

Colleagues and clients alike have celebrated Kelly for his wealth of experience, straightforwardness, and sense of humor. His absence will undoubtedly be felt as he has left behind a lasting legacy within the company. Jeff Poulin, CEO of Canada Life Reinsurance, expressed deep gratitude for Kelly’s commitment and loyalty, highlighting how his leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s prosperous trajectory.

Derek Popkes, Global COO of Reinsurance at Canada Life, expressed his sentiments about Kelly's departure, stating that he looked forward to continuing the exciting prospects for the P&C business that Kelly has cultivated.

Stepping into the leadership role of the Global P&C Business Unit will be Eamon Loughnane. With a proven track record in transforming the company’s Life reinsurance business across Europe, Loughnane has been recognized for his results-driven approach and innovative strategies. His knack for developing robust frameworks to assess and execute new ideas positions him perfectly to take the reins following Kelly's retirement.

Poulin stated, "I couldn’t be more pleased to have Eamon take on this new role. I have every confidence he will continue to build on our success and capitalize on the opportunities we have before us." Loughnane's experience and leadership style are anticipated to bring fresh energy and direction to the unit, ensuring the continued growth and resilience of Canada Life Reinsurance’s offerings in the P&C sector.

In the coming months, Kelly will facilitate a seamless transition, remaining involved with the P&C business until March 30, 2025, and providing transitional support to Loughnane to ensure that operations continue without interruption.

About Canada Life Reinsurance

Canada Life Reinsurance is a vital component of The Canada Life Assurance Company, offering a comprehensive range of risk and capital management solutions targeting mortality, longevity, health, and lapse risks. Their services extend globally, impacting insurers, reinsurers, and pension funds across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The company's commitment to innovation has solidified its standing in the market, and clients can expect a forward-thinking approach as they navigate this leadership change.

Looking Forward

As the company transitions into a new chapter under Eamon Loughnane’s leadership, stakeholders will be keenly watching to see how he builds upon the foundation laid by Gabriel Kelly. With a strong team behind him and a clear vision for the future, there are high hopes for continued success in the Global P&C Business Unit. Canada Life Reinsurance's strategy and operations will remain robust and progressive, aligning with the demand for effective risk management solutions in an ever-evolving industry landscape.