Ian McMullan, managing director of Canada Life Group Insurance, passed away on Friday 8th July 2016 following a brave battle with cancer.
He first joined Canada Life in 1998 and went onto to assume the role of managing director in 2006.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, his daughter Lauren, son Christian and his brother John.
Doug Brown, UK CEO of Canada Life has issued a statement saying: "Our sincere thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
"Ian first joined Canada Life Group in 1998 and went on to assume the role of managing director in 2006. Under his stewardship, the Group Division became the largest insurer by premiums, employers and employees and we were voted Best Group Risk insurer by advisers.
"These accomplishments are testament to Ian's focus and drive as Group Insurance MD. His business legacy is that we are the biggest and best at what we do in the Group Insurance marketplace, which will be much poorer without him.
"Ian always acted in the best interests of the customer, the business and his colleagues. He was an outstanding leader and his high standards mean both the business and his colleagues are better for having known him.
"A real people person, he will be deeply missed by all those he worked with, from his colleagues to advisers and suppliers."
Tim Stoves, who has been acting as interim managing director during Ian's illness, will continue in this role.
Industry tributes
Ron Wheatcroft, technical manager at Swiss Re said: "The news of Ian's passing was desperately sad.
"I have enjoyed working with Ian over a number of years and have seen at first hand his fantastic commitment to making the market a better place for insurers, intermediaries and our customers. His dynamism and leadership has been instrumental in establishing GRiD as 'the voice of group risk.'
"Rarely do you meet someone with such drive and energy, whether to move forward the work issues of the day or to debate the rise and fall in the fortunes of Liverpool Football Club.
"It has been a privilege for all of us lucky enough to have worked with Ian. Right now, work issues are secondary and our thoughts are with his family, many friends and his colleagues for whom this is such a difficult time. RIP Ian."
John Ritchie, chief executive of Ellipse said: "Our sector lost one of its best last week. Ian was always fully engaged, committed and ready for a heated debate.
"His leadership style was emphatic, sincere and always fully switched on.
"The quality of the team at Canada Life and their position as the model to aspire to among group risk insurers is his business legacy.
"And he was peerless company on the golf course where he could trash talk with the best of them."
