Canada Life has appointed Emma Watkins to be its UK chief executive officer.
Watkins, who takes up the role from 1 September, joins from Scottish Widows, where she held the role of managing director, retirement & longstanding.
In this role she was in charge of developing the company’s £6bn bulk annuity business, and oversaw the digitisation of its annuity operations.
Watkins worked for Scottish Widows for 10 years and was a member of the executive committee. Prior to this she was a partner at Lane, Clark and Peacock (LCP) and has held a number of senior roles across the insurance industry, including working for MetLife and Ace European Group.
Watkins succeeds Lindsey Rix-Broom, who was recently promoted to CEO, Europe, Great-West Lifeco — which owns Canada Life UK.
Watkins will report directly to Rix-Broom and will also join the Great-West Lifeco European Leadership Team.
Rix-Broom says: “[Watkins] brings a wealth of experience, a strong history of impactful leadership, and a clear strategic vision. Her expertise, combined with her proven ability to lead complex businesses and foster innovation, makes her the ideal person to lead Canada Life UK through its next phase of development and growth.”
