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Lespérance given mandate to deliver client-first risk, people, and benefits solutions built for Canadian businesses
TORONTO, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockton, the world's largest privately held independent insurance brokerage, today announced the strategic appointment of industry veteran Stéphane Lespérance as Chief Executive Officer of Lockton's new Canadian business. This milestone appointment underscores the company's commitment to delivering enhanced, high-level advisory support to Canadian enterprises.
Widely recognized as a leading figure in the Canadian insurance sector, Stéphane joins Lockton following 24 years in progressively senior roles at Aon Canada, where he served as President since 2019 and as President and CEO since 2025. His proven track record of elevating client service by developing and implementing complex risk management strategies for large multinational organizations across North America, Europe and Asia and building elite advisory teams makes him uniquely positioned to shape the next phase of Lockton's Canadian offerings. The appointment reflects Lockton's focus on building a Canadian-led organization to support businesses navigating a dynamic operating environment, with rising pressure across risk and people solutions.
"Canada is one of the world's top 10 insurance markets, a sophisticated, globally connected economy where businesses are navigating increasingly complex, interconnected risks," said Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO, Lockton. "Through our longstanding relationships in Canada, we've consistently heard the need for deeper specialization and a truly client-centric advisory model. Lockton's independent structure allows us to meet that need in a meaningful way. Bringing on a leader of Stéphane's caliber speaks to the strength and appeal of our privately held model. He brings the experience, credibility, and strategic vision required to deliver a premier advisory experience for clients across Canada."
Lockton's approach in Canada centers on bringing its independent, privately held model to a market where mid- and large-market companies are seeking more tailored advice across a full range of risk and workforce-related challenges. The company's strategy will combine Canadian leadership and local market judgment with global expertise, aligning the Canadian retail business with Lockton's global network to offer unique products and services in the Canadian market and better serve businesses operating in Canada.
"More than ever, Canadian businesses need a partner who understands the increasingly complex risk environment they face, from trade and supply chain uncertainty and cyber threats to workforce pressures, rising benefits costs, climate resilience and sector-specific challenges," said Stéphane Lespérance, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Lockton's Canadian retail business. "Lockton's independent model is highly relevant to the Canadian market today. It provides the freedom to build a truly client-centric platform, allowing us to focus on long-term client success. I'm excited to bring together a collaborative team of experts to deliver exceptional results for our Canadian clients."
The appointment builds upon Lockton's longstanding work with Canadian clients and multinational businesses with Canadian operations. Lockton will share further details in the months ahead as it continues to build its Canadian leadership team, local market presence and enhanced advisory capabilities.
About Stéphane Lespérance
With nearly 30 years of experience in risk management, Stéphane Lespérance has effectively developed and implemented insurance program strategies for large multinational organizations specifically in North America, Europe and Asia. He spent 24 years in progressively senior roles at Aon Canada, where he served as President since 2019 and then as President and CEO since 2025. He is also chair of the board of governors for The Insurance Institute of Canada. Stéphane studied risk management at l'Université du Québec à Montréal and has completed executive education programs at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Outside of his work, Stéphane is a competitive triathlete and enjoys spending time with his family.
About Lockton
What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes it better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its nearly 15,000 Associates doing business in 160+ countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. Lockton's Canadian business operates as Lockton Brokers, ULC.
For more information, visit www.lockton.com.
Lespérance given mandate to deliver client-first risk, people, and benefits solutions built for Canadian businesses
TORONTO, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockton, the world's largest privately held independent insurance brokerage, today announced the strategic appointment of industry veteran Stéphane Lespérance as Chief Executive Officer of Lockton's new Canadian business. This milestone appointment underscores the company's commitment to delivering enhanced, high-level advisory support to Canadian enterprises.
Widely recognized as a leading figure in the Canadian insurance sector, Stéphane joins Lockton following 24 years in progressively senior roles at Aon Canada, where he served as President since 2019 and as President and CEO since 2025. His proven track record of elevating client service by developing and implementing complex risk management strategies for large multinational organizations across North America, Europe and Asia and building elite advisory teams makes him uniquely positioned to shape the next phase of Lockton's Canadian offerings. The appointment reflects Lockton's focus on building a Canadian-led organization to support businesses navigating a dynamic operating environment, with rising pressure across risk and people solutions.
"Canada is one of the world's top 10 insurance markets, a sophisticated, globally connected economy where businesses are navigating increasingly complex, interconnected risks," said Ron Lockton, Chairman and CEO, Lockton. "Through our longstanding relationships in Canada, we've consistently heard the need for deeper specialization and a truly client-centric advisory model. Lockton's independent structure allows us to meet that need in a meaningful way. Bringing on a leader of Stéphane's caliber speaks to the strength and appeal of our privately held model. He brings the experience, credibility, and strategic vision required to deliver a premier advisory experience for clients across Canada."
Lockton's approach in Canada centers on bringing its independent, privately held model to a market where mid- and large-market companies are seeking more tailored advice across a full range of risk and workforce-related challenges. The company's strategy will combine Canadian leadership and local market judgment with global expertise, aligning the Canadian retail business with Lockton's global network to offer unique products and services in the Canadian market and better serve businesses operating in Canada.
"More than ever, Canadian businesses need a partner who understands the increasingly complex risk environment they face, from trade and supply chain uncertainty and cyber threats to workforce pressures, rising benefits costs, climate resilience and sector-specific challenges," said Stéphane Lespérance, incoming Chief Executive Officer of Lockton's Canadian retail business. "Lockton's independent model is highly relevant to the Canadian market today. It provides the freedom to build a truly client-centric platform, allowing us to focus on long-term client success. I'm excited to bring together a collaborative team of experts to deliver exceptional results for our Canadian clients."
The appointment builds upon Lockton's longstanding work with Canadian clients and multinational businesses with Canadian operations. Lockton will share further details in the months ahead as it continues to build its Canadian leadership team, local market presence and enhanced advisory capabilities.
About Stéphane Lespérance
With nearly 30 years of experience in risk management, Stéphane Lespérance has effectively developed and implemented insurance program strategies for large multinational organizations specifically in North America, Europe and Asia. He spent 24 years in progressively senior roles at Aon Canada, where he served as President since 2019 and then as President and CEO since 2025. He is also chair of the board of governors for The Insurance Institute of Canada. Stéphane studied risk management at l'Université du Québec à Montréal and has completed executive education programs at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Outside of his work, Stéphane is a competitive triathlete and enjoys spending time with his family.
About Lockton
What makes Lockton stand apart is also what makes it better: independence. Lockton's private ownership empowers its nearly 15,000 Associates doing business in 160+ countries to focus solely on clients' risk and insurance needs. With expertise that reaches around the globe, Lockton delivers the deep understanding needed to accomplish remarkable results. Lockton's Canadian business operates as Lockton Brokers, ULC.
For more information, visit www.lockton.com.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Lockton appoints Stéphane Lespérance as CEO of its Canadian Business
Driving AI and robotics adoption in Hong Kong with innovative InsurTech
HONG KONG, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YAS Insurance ("YAS") today announced a collaboration with Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) ("Zurich") to promote the use of AI and robotics in Hong Kong through an embedded insurance solution. Under this partnership, Zurich will design bespoke micro-insurance for robots and embed the cover directly into YAS's robotics sales and service offerings. The aim is to accelerate robotics adoption across different industries, strengthen risk management around robotics applications, and provide better protection for corporate clients and end users.
With this collaboration, corporate customers who adopt YAS's robotics solutions will receive scenario‑based insurance coverage from Zurich. This makes the process of introducing robots smoother, so businesses may strike a balance between "improving efficiency" and "taking on additional risk". Key protections include coverage for repair costs arising from insured incidents involving the robots, as well as compensation for deductibles under other related policies, helping companies manage repair and operational risks more effectively.
Each robotics application scenario comes with its own potential damage and liability risks, which must be addressed with professional risk management solutions before companies can deploy such technologies with confidence. For example, robots on construction sites often operate in complex environments and around heavy machinery, while robots in retail settings need to move through crowds and interact with customers. The collaboration between YAS and Zurich helps enhance financial protection for robot repair and third party liability, thereby enhancing the resilience of business operations.
William Lee, Co-Founder of YAS, said, "Many enterprises are already using robots from our partner Axonex in a wide range of settings, including manufacturing and logistics, shopping malls and office buildings, construction sites, restaurants and clubhouses. By adding innovative embedded micro‑insurance, we can further strengthen their confidence in applying robotics technology.
Following our earlier collaboration with Zurich on protection for electric taxi fleets, we are delighted to work together again in the area of robotics insurance. Looking ahead, we plan to deepen our 'lab' collaboration with Zurich in fields such as autonomous driving, electric vehicle ecosystem, drones and green finance, so we can help businesses in Hong Kong seize the opportunities brought by innovative technologies."
Eric Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Zurich Insurance (Greater China), said, "Zurich has always kept pace with market developments and is committed to creating a future where people and technology work hand in hand. We are already an industry leader in areas such as online sales, digital claims and self‑service. As AI and technology advance at unprecedented speed, the risks faced by businesses are becoming more diverse.
Through our 'lab' approach, Zurich collaborates with tech firms and stakeholders across different sectors, combining forward‑looking insights with our risk management expertise and data analytics. This has led to the launch of the 'Zurich Smart Vision Series' of micro‑insurance products tailored to different innovation use cases, providing customers with comprehensive and robust risk and financial protection so they can navigate operational challenges with confidence.
Zurich has long championed the wider application of InsurTech, which closely aligns with YAS's vision. With this partnership, we hope to bring together our respective strengths, using insurance to support technological development and to further enable digital transformation and smart operations for businesses in Hong Kong."
Disclaimer
The robotics insurance and other insurance products mentioned in this material are underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (a company incorporated in Switzerland with limited liability) and is intended only for sale in the Hong Kong SAR. This material should not be regarded as an offer or solicitation to sell any insurance products or services in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful in such jurisdiction. The product information provided herein is for reference only and does not form part of the insurance contract. For details of the insurance products, please refer to the respective product brochure and the policy provisions. In case of inconsistency, the policy provisions shall prevail. Zurich Insurance Company Ltd reserves the right of final approval and decision on all matters. YAS Digital Limited (IA License No. FA2648) is an authorized insurance agency to distribute the robotics insurance product, appointed by Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.
About YAS
YAS is an award-winning data and AI risk technology company. YAS Digital Limited (IA License No. FA2648) is a licensed insurance agency regulated by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority.
About Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong)
Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) is part of Zurich Insurance Group and currently has around 600 staff in Hong Kong. Since 1961, Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) has been serving the local community, dedicated to providing comprehensive and flexible general and life insurance solutions for individual, commercial and corporate customers, catering to their needs in insurance, protection, and investment. Please visit www.zurich.com.hk for more information of Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong).
About Axonex
Axonex is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mint Inc (Nasdaq ticker: MIMI).
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong) and YAS announce embedded insurance for robots
