Sun Life Financial President and CEO, Dean Connor named Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year for 2017

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial President and Chief Executive Officer, Dean A. Connor was today named Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year® for 2017.

In selecting Mr. Connor, the award program's Advisory Board cited Sun Life Financial's successful global business strategy under his leadership and vision, including its accelerated growth in seven Asian markets, the launch of new wealth and asset management businesses, and a number of acquisitions. Sun Life's Total Shareholder Return has averaged 28% per year over the past five years ending in 2016 and employee engagement is above benchmarks for global financial services companies. More recently, he has set the company on a digital and innovation course to create better experiences for its Clients around the world.

"I'd like to congratulate Dean and applaud the leadership he has provided to Sun Life," said Bill Anderson, Chairman of the Board, Sun Life Financial. "Dean's passion and commitment to the company, its stakeholders and the communities in which we operate is apparent in everything he does. As CEO he has set a course to deliver strong and sustainable results and growth across our four business pillars, wrapped in a winning culture that's focused on our Clients."

"It's an honour to lead Sun Life and I share this award with our employees and advisors around the world who bring our Purpose to life every day - to help our Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives," said Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial. "Thank you to the Sun Life team, our Clients, shareholders and partners for your continued confidence in our business."

A dinner to honour Dean Connor and Sun Life Financial will be held in Toronto on February 22, 2018. Proceeds raised from the event support the nationwide Futures Fund Program, which provides scholarships to outstanding university students in business.

Mr. Connor serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, and is a member of the Business Council of Canada and the Ivey Business School Advisory Board. He is a Trustee for the University Health Network in Toronto and chaired the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute's Where Incredible Happens campaign. He is chairing the 2017 United Way Toronto and York Region campaign.

Follow Dean Connor on Twitter @DeanAConnor

About Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year®
Established in 1990, this highly respected award honours an executive in Canadian business who exemplifies integrity, insists upon excellence, earns the trust of others and has built a globally competitive organization. For more than 25 years, CEO of the Year has been the country's pre-eminent recognition of corporate leadership and vision.

The program is supported by presenting partner Bennett Jones, media partners National Post and BNN, and founding partner Caldwell Partners.

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of $934 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Note to Editors: All figures in Canadian dollars except as otherwise noted. 

Media Relations Contact:
Kim Armstrong          
Manager, Media & PR
Corporate Communications 
T. 416-979-6207
kim.armstrong@sunlife.com

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.