Canada Life today announces the appointments of Kris Black as Head of Annuities and Alice Watson as Head of Home Finance within its Retirement business.
In the newly created roles, Kris and Alice will each take responsibility for the end-to-end product and proposition life cycle and strategy for the annuities and home finance product lines respectively.
Establishing the two dedicated leadership positions will provide enhanced commercial focus and strategic direction to drive change and innovation across both areas of the business.
Kris was previously Head of Commercial within Retirement at Canada Life, where he led the pricing teams for both annuities and home finance. Prior to joining Canada Life, he held senior roles at Willis Towers Watson and Aviva, bringing wider market insight and leadership experience, alongside deep expertise in annuity pricing.
Alice was previously Head of B2B Marketing at Canada Life and has significant experience in the home finance space. In her most recent role, she was responsible for defining and implementing the marketing strategy and plans that support the UK business strategy across Retirement, Protection, Wealth and Asset Management. Prior to this, she held several roles within the home finance product line, focusing on customer insight, proposition development and adviser support.
Kris’s appointment is effective from 1st March 2026, and Alice’s will take effect upon her return from maternity leave at the end of Q2.
Commenting on the appointments, Pete Maddern, Managing Director, Retirement, Canada Life, said:
“The Retirement business is a critical component of Canada Life's long-term success and Kris and Alice’s appointments reflect the investment we are making to strengthen our team to deliver our ambitious strategy.
“Growing customer demand and regulatory change is creating significant opportunity in both the annuities and home finance markets and these new roles will ensure we are well positioned to turn this opportunity into sustainable growth.
“Having worked with both Kris and Alice for a number of years, I am confident their leadership expertise and deep knowledge of the retirement market will be invaluable as we continue to evolve our proposition and deliver for our customers.”
Kris Black, Head of Annuities, Canada Life, said:
“I am delighted to be moving into a role where I can help shape the next phase of growth of our market leading annuity business.
“It is an exciting time for the annuity market, with premiums at record levels since pension freedoms were introduced and more people recognising the value of secure, lifelong income.
“As the retirement landscape in the UK continues to evolve, guaranteed income solutions will play a critical role in helping customers manage risk and plan with confidence.
“I am looking forward to working with colleagues and partners across the industry to develop propositions that offer customers clarity, value, and peace of mind during retirement.”
Alice Watson, Head of Home Finance, Canada Life, said:
“I am excited to lead our home finance business as we look to innovate and build on Canada Life's strong track record in this space. Having joined the industry nearly two decades ago I’ve seen first-hand how much the later life market has evolved, and how products like equity release can make a real difference to customers lives.
“As more of us live longer and an increasing share of people’s wealth is held in their property, it’s vital that we continue to develop flexible options that help customers’ to fund their retirement.
“Advisers are central to this, and I’m committed to ensuring we give them the support, insight and propositions they need to help customers make informed choices, tailored to their individual needs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Enquiries:
Press enquiries should be directed to:
Katie Ormrod, Canada Life, +44 7834 74022, katie.ormrod@canadalife.co.uk
About Canada Life:
Canada Life is part of a group of companies controlled by Great-West Lifeco Inc., a Canadian headquartered, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Through its subsidiary companies, Great-West Lifeco operates in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.
Canada Life Limited began operations in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1903 and provides UK individuals and businesses with a range of retirement, investment, insurance and wealth solutions. Canada Life offers individual annuities, pension de-risking solutions, home finance, estate planning and investment options, and workplace protection products.
Canada Life Limited (no.973271) is registered in England and Wales, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Stonehaven UK Limited (no.05487702), trading as Canada Life, is registered in England and Wales and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Canada Life International Limited (no.033178C) and CLI Institutional Limited (no.108017C) are Isle of Man registered companies authorised and regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC (no. 440141) and Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC are authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Canada Life Asset Management is the brand for investment management activities undertaken by Canada Life Asset Management Limited (no.3846821), Canada Life Limited and Canada Life European Real Estate Limited (no.03846823). Canada Life Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Please note that while Canada Life Limited and Canada Life Asset Management Limited are regulated as stated above, property management and the provision of commercial mortgages are not regulated activities.