HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life today announced the appointment of Paul Courtney as chief commercial officer managing the International Distribution, Product Development and Strategy Development teams based in Bermuda. Mr. Courtney's responsibilities will focus on growing Sun Life's leading position in the international high-net-worth (HNW) life insurance marketplace. His position is effective February 5, 2018, subject to obtaining a valid Bermuda work permit.

Mr. Courtney joins Sun Life from Willis Towers Watson, where he was European CEO based in Switzerland and Liechtenstein overseeing the HNW life insurance markets of the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa.

"We are excited to welcome Paul, who is well-regarded in the industry and has an established record of strong business results across many countries," said Niall O'Hare, CEO of Sun Life Financial International. "Paul's expertise will help us to expand our presence in the international high-net-worth marketplace by continuously evolving our products and services to meet the wealth preservation, growth and multigenerational transfer needs of our Clients."

Mr. Courtney brings more than 19 years of experience in the insurance industry with a focus on corporate and business strategy, HNW sales and distribution management, operations and product development. He started his career in his home country of Ireland and later served in underwriting, sales and claims functions in Germany and Asia for Munich Re. Mr. Courtney subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility in operations and distribution for Swiss Life and Transamerica Life Bermuda, and in 2012 was named CEO for the Singapore operations of Transamerica Life Bermuda.

Mr. Courtney earned an MBA from the National University of Singapore and a bachelor's degree in Insurance and European Studies from the University of Limerick in Ireland. He holds the Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) designation.

About Sun Life Financial 
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individuals and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2017, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management of C$944 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

About Sun Life Financial International
Sun Life Financial International is the Bermuda-based unit of Sun Life Financial that focuses on high-net-worth (HNW) life and wealth solutions for families in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. As a pioneer in the international market, Sun Life Financial International has delivered innovative and creative solutions since 1996, which help HNW families and business owners protect their wealth, fund their business succession plans and help future generations succeed. For more information, please visit https://www.sunlife.com/international.

The Sun Life Financial group of companies operates under the "Sun Life Financial" name. Sun Life Financial Inc., the publicly traded holding company for the Sun Life Financial group of companies, is not a product offering company and is not the guarantor of the obligations of its subsidiaries.

Life insurance products available through the international offshore business based in Bermuda are offered by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Bermuda Branch). These products may not be sold in the United States, nor to citizens or residents of the United States, nor to residents of Bermuda and Canada. Other restrictions may apply. In certain communications, the company may be referred to as "Sun Life Financial International" strictly as a marketing name, and no legal significance is express or implied.

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SOURCE Sun Life Financial