Wexford man appointed new CEO of Irish Life
WEXFORD native Declan Bolger will become the new Chief Executive of Irish Life as the current CEO, David Harney, gains a promotion at parent Great-West Lifeco.
Son of Tom and Joan Bolger, Ferrybank Wexford, both retired secondary teachers from St. Peter’s College and Loreto Convent respectively, Mr. Bolger is currently Chief Executive of Canada Life Europe, a Great-West Lifeco subsidiary he helped found in 2000.
As his CEO for the past decade, Mr. Bolger is credited with doubling the firm’s client base in Germany to more than 500,000.
‘Working with the Canada Life Europe team over the last 20 years has been a great honour,’ he said. ‘Canada Life is now established as one of the leading brands in the German Broke Life market with great prospects to grow further.’
‘I’m excited to take on a new challenge as leader of our Irish business,’ Mr. Bolger said.
Irish Life said the promotions would take place over a transition period to allow for regulatory approvals and the appointment of Mr. Bolger’s successor at Canada Life Europe.
Educated at St. Peter’s College. Mr. Bolger trained as an Actuary with Bank of Ireland and Canada Life, taking up a position with Bank of Ireland straight from College having completed his Leaving Certificate in 1992.
A keen sportsman, he was goalkeeper on the 1992 St. Peter’s College winning Leinster senior football team to bring the first senior football title to the college. He also played with the Shelmaliers G.A.A. club and played rugby with Wexford Wanderers.
Aged 44 years, he is married with three children and lives in Clontarf.