LÉVIS, QC, Sept. 20, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Monique F. Leroux, Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group, has announced changes to the organizational structure of Desjardins and a revision of the duties of some members of the management committee.
This announcement is based, first of all, on the goals of the 2013-2016 Strategic Plan, which calls on all of Desjardins Group to surpass itself in service to members and clients. It also responds to the decision made by Marc Laplante to retire in March 2014, after a career at Desjardins that spans almost 28 years. Mr. Laplante is Senior Executive Vice-President, Desjardins Group, and General Manager of the Federation.
Ms. Leroux is pleased to announce the following appointments, which fall within the management succession and development program in place at Desjardins Group.
Normand Desautels has been named Senior Executive Vice-President, Desjardins Group, and General Manager of the Federation, and succeeds Mr. Laplante. This nomination was approved today by the Federation's Board of Directors. During his career at Desjardins, Mr. Desautels has held executive positions for some 20 years within the cooperative network, at Desjardins Card Services and most recently as Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Personal Services and Human Capital. He will be able to count on the support of Mr. Laplante who will stay on until March 31, 2014, to ensure a smooth transition of the files.
"I wish to thank Mr. Desautels for accepting this critically important position. His thorough knowledge of our organization and his participation in all the major files will stand him in good stead as he assumes his new functions," stated Ms. Leroux.
In reply, Mr. Desautels said, "My first words are of course to thank Ms. Leroux and the Board of Directors for their confidence in me. I am certain that, with their support and that of my colleagues, we will achieve the goals of our strategic plan."
In addition to his current responsibilities as Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Business and Institutional Services, Stéphane Achard will now oversee those of Desjardins Card and Payment Services. He assumes the title of Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Business and Institutional Services, and Card and Payment Services. The combination of these activities will promote synergies for growth and help integrate the Desjardins service offer to businesses. Mr. Achard will also see to the implementation of the business plan for Monetico, an international electronic payment company created in partnership with Crédit Mutuel of France.
Réal Bellemare has been named Senior Vice-President, Desjardins Group Operations and Performance. Currently Senior Vice-President, Risk Management, his new role brings together Compliance, Real Estate, Procurement and Desjardins Group Performance with Risk Management. The latter function will be headed under his direction by Francine Champoux, who has been named Chief Risk Management Officer, Desjardins Group.
Guy Cormier has been named Senior Vice-President, Cooperative Network and Personal Services. In addition to his current duties as Senior Vice-President, Cooperative Network, his new role encompasses Personal Services, previously headed by Mr. Desautels. Mr. Cormier will work towards better integrating the marketing services to create synergies between the different distribution groups (caisses, centres and AccèsD) in Quebec and Ontario.
Marie-Huguette Cormier has been named Senior Vice-President, Marketing, Member-Client Experience and Communications. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Cormier was Executive Vice-President, Communications. Her new mandate includes supporting business development and fostering a culture of service to members and clients, and ensuring a strategic alignment with Desjardins marketing activities.
Josiane Moisan has been named Senior Vice-President, Desjardins Group Human Resources, replacing Mr. Desautels in this function. A 25-year veteran in human resources management, Ms. Moisan has been with Desjardins since 2006 and has held, among others, the position of Vice-President, Desjardins Group and Federation Human Resources.
Ms. Leroux was keen to highlight the valuable contribution made by Mr. Laplante. "Since my election as President of Desjardins Group, Marc Laplante has worked alongside me on all the major files, most important projects and greatest challenges. I am especially grateful and want to express my sincere appreciation for his intelligence and hard work, and for the invaluable support that he has given me over the past few years. My best wishes accompany him as he pursues his personal endeavours."
"The decision to retire from a company to which I have dedicated 28 years of my life is not one I take lightly, especially as I leave a position that's been so exciting and stimulating. I do so after much deliberation," said Mr. Laplante. "However, personal plans and much reflection have led me to where I am today, so I am passing the torch. There is a window open right now that allows me to leave knowing the organization is in excellent hands."
Ms. Leroux concluded by speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors in wishing the greatest success to all the appointees and assuring them that she will support them as they take on their new roles. "Our whole team merges talent, expertise and the strength of our shared determination."
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada with assets over $200 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse network in Québec and Ontario and its subsidiaries across Canada, it offers a full range of financial products and services to its members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. Best Corporate Citizen in Canada for 2012 and among Canada's Top 100 Employers, Desjardins is supported by the skills of its 44,942 employees and the commitment of 5,268 elected officers. Desjardins members and the general public are invited to visit Desjardins Group's education and cooperation program website at www.desjardins.com/co-opme.
SOURCE: Desjardins Group
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André Chapleau
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