# Rowan Saunders

> Rowan Saunders is the Toronto-based president and CEO of Definity Financial Corporation. After a career at RSA Canada, where he became CEO in 2003, he joined Economical in November 2016 and led its preparation for demutualization and Definity’s 2021 public listing. His tenure has included investment in digital and broker channels, expansion of the brokerage platform and the approximately C$3.3 billion Travelers Canada acquisition completed in January 2026.

- **Role:** President and Chief Executive Officer at Definity Financial Corporation
- **Organizations:** Definity Financial Corporation, Economical Insurance, RSA Canada (former), EQB Inc., Equitable Bank, Business Council of Canada, Insurance Bureau of Canada (former chair and director)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts, York University
- **Known for:** Led Economical through the completion of Canada’s first property and casualty insurer demutualization and Definity’s public listing in 2021., Named Strategist of the Year by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business in 2022., Led Definity during the approximately C$3.3 billion Travelers Canada acquisition completed in January 2026.

## Career timeline

- **1984** — Moved from South Africa to Toronto.
- **1987** — Joined RSA Canada; early career included underwriting, marketing, sales and finance.
- **2003** — Became president and CEO of RSA Canada.
- **2013** — Joined the board of the organization now known as EQB.
- **2016** — Became president and CEO of Economical on November 1.
- **2018** — Economical launched the Vyne broker offering during his tenure.
- **2021** — Economical demutualized and Definity’s IPO closed on November 23.
- **2022** — Received Report on Business Strategist of the Year recognition; Definity increased its McDougall stake to approximately 75%.
- **2025** — Definity announced its agreement to acquire most of Travelers’ Canadian insurance operations.
- **2026** — Definity completed the approximately C$3.3 billion Travelers transaction on January 2.

## Achievements

- Led Economical through the completion of Canada’s first property and casualty insurer demutualization and Definity’s public listing in 2021.
- Named Strategist of the Year by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business in 2022.
- Led Definity during the approximately C$3.3 billion Travelers Canada acquisition completed in January 2026.
- Holds the Canadian Risk Management designation and is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 6, Definity estimated a C$190 million negative underwriting-income impact from third-quarter catastrophe losses, net of reinsurance recoveries; Saunders emphasized customer support and catastrophe response.
- **2026-09** — Saunders participated in the September 10 Scotiabank Financials Summit and the September 24 CIBC Eastern Institutional Investor Conference.
- **2026-07** — Definity reported second-quarter results and increased its annual pre-tax expense synergy target for Travelers integration to C$125 million.
- **2026-01** — The Travelers Canada transaction closed on January 2.

## Links

- Website: https://www.definityfinancial.com/English/investors/governance/executive-committee/default.aspx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowan-saunders-4920b5aa

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rowan-saunders
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22