Headquarters:
Montreal, Quebec
Year founded:
1987
Number of employees:
1,500
Phone:
1 800 465 2842
Email:
HighRiver@westernfg.ca
Website:
bflcanada.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/bfl-canada
Barry F. Lorenzetti, C.M., Ch.O.M.
Chief Executive Officer, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Founder
Lisa Giannone
President and Chief Operating Officer
Craig Kozlowski
Chief Information and Technology Officer
Leadership
Barry F. Lorenzetti is a renowned Canadian entrepreneur and the founder of BFL Canada, the country’s leading privately held, employee-owned insurance brokerage and risk management firm. Since establishing BFL CANADA in 1987, he has built a company with global reach and a strong reputation for excellence. Community involvement is central to his leadership; in 2017, he launched the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation to advance mental health care in Canada. Lorenzetti’s significant impact on business and society has been recognized with prestigious honours, including the Order of Canada, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Ordre de Montréal.
Chief Executive Officer, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Founder
Barry F. Lorenzetti, C.M., Ch.O.M.
Lisa Giannone was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of BFL CANADA in January 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience in the insurance brokerage and risk management industry. As a dynamic leader, she is dedicated to building and cultivating high-performing teams across the country and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration. She excels in strategic planning and high-level negotiations and is recognized for her ability to develop alternative and creative solutions for clients. Fostering trust and building strong partnerships with clients and insurers are a defining trait of her leadership, turning collaboration into a catalyst for long-term growth and success. Beyond her professional achievements, Lisa is deeply engaged in community initiatives, supporting organizations such as the Concordia Centre for Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership, the Barry F. Lorenzetti Foundation, and the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation.
President and Chief Operating Officer
Lisa Giannone
Craig Kozlowski leads Western’s national technology team, overseeing AI innovation, cybersecurity, IT service delivery, and more. With over 30 years of technology leadership in both private and public sectors, he joined Western in 2018. Kozlowski is dedicated to advancing Western’s strategic plan and delivering a modern customer and user experience, consistently guiding teams to operational success across diverse industries.
Chief Information and Technology Officer
Craig Kozlowski
Jonathan Hoey
Chief Underwriting Officer
Jonathan Hoey, chief underwriting officer, brings over 20 years of insurance leadership to Western Financial Group. He leads underwriting and claims strategy, optimizing carrier partnerships and empowering high-performing teams. Hoey is recognized for his collaborative, integrity-driven leadership and has expanded Western’s delegated authority and specialty program capabilities, driving strategic growth and strengthening the company’s competitive edge across Canada.
Chief Underwriting Officer
Jonathan Hoey
Nicky Skinner
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner, based in Christchurch, was honoured as NZ Adviser’s BDM of the Year. With over 20 years of banking experience – including roles as bank manager, private banker and senior lender – she brings deep expertise to her work. Skinner supports mortgage advisers with product knowledge and deal presentation skills, focusing on building strong, trusted relationships. Her collaborative approach and dedication make her a valued resource, consistently praised for her guidance and support in helping advisers achieve outstanding client outcomes.
Business Development Manager
Nicky Skinner
Sarah Radonich
Third Party Support Manager
Steph Leeson
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
Business Development Manager
Pam Chhabra
Manager – Residential Strata
Sarah Radonich is a third party support manager (relief BDM) at Westpac, building strong relationships with mortgage advisers across New Zealand. With 15 years of banking experience, she supports a wide range of regions and communities, working alongside a team of experienced BDMs. Radonich is known for her responsiveness, collaboration and focus on delivering efficient, results-driven experiences for advisers and their clients, always striving for the best possible outcomes.
Third Party Support Manager
Sarah Radonich
Steph Leeson immigrated from the UK 14 years ago and began her Westpac career as a specialist lender. Now a business development manager, she supports mortgage advisers across Auckland and Northland, offering expert guidance and support. Leeson is highly regarded for her lending knowledge, responsiveness and collaborative approach. Her dedication was recognised nationally as a finalist for the 2025 NZ Adviser BDM of the Year award, reflecting her impact within the third party channel.
Business Development Manager
Steph Leeson
Margaret Leau-Sulusi brings over 20 years of banking experience to her role as business development manager, having started with Westpac in 2005. Her background includes lending support, senior lending roles and branch management. Leau-Sulusi partners closely with mortgage advisers, providing product expertise and strategic guidance to drive strong client outcomes. Known for her collaborative style and responsiveness, she is passionate about building trusted relationships and delivering customer-focused results.
Business Development Manager
Margaret Leau-Sulusi
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
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Adam Basaldella
Manager – Claims
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Product Manager
Claire Watson
Stephen McMillan first entered the financial services Industry when he joined GE Capital as a finance analyst in 2008, from which he progressed through roles working both onshore and offshore. From there, he moved into Pacific Premium Funding as a financial planning and analysis leader in 2012 and was a key resource in the evolution of the business, first with the successful sale to Macquarie Pacific Funding and then the following progression into IQumulate Premium Funding, where he is now the commercial manager.
As commercial manager, McMillan leads a team that is responsible for commercial analysis and business support, identifying and reporting improvement initiatives, and the securitization and treasury functions of the business.
Commercial Manager
Stephen McMillan
“We also maintain open lines of communication with advisers so they know what to expect and can plan accordingly”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
“We’ve invested heavily in resourcing and process improvements to reduce friction and speed up approvals”
Hayley Burgess, ANZ Bank New Zealand
Founded in 1987 by Barry F. Lorenzetti, BFL Canada has grown to become one of the country’s largest employee-owned and operated firms specializing in risk management, insurance brokerage, and employee benefits consulting. With a team of over 1,500 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, it combines local expertise with a global reach.
Through its Local International Office Network, an alliance of independent brokers, the firm offers clients privileged access to insurance partners in more than 140 countries – supporting their operations both in Canada and around the world. BFL Canada’s distinctive business model and collaborative culture have fueled its impressive growth and enduring success. The firm remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional service and staying ahead in an ever-evolving, highly competitive industry.
IQumulate invests in education and people, which are vital to attracting new business and talent to the company.
“We have long tenures for several of our key staff, including some in leadership positions, and this sound working knowledge of our business, practices and industry provides great insights and a wealth of experience to offer our clients,” says Bastow. “Our new head of sales, Graeme Gordon, formerly manager for New Zealand, joins us in Australia to drive our sales strategy and lead our team to successful outcomes for our clients and our business. We look forward to great things ahead with Graeme as he continues to be active and present in the New Zealand market as well as building sound working relationships and new connections in Australia.”
Clients can also expect a lot from working with IQumulate.
“Through active engagement with our trusted broker network, IQumulate provides relevant information, education and training content,” says Graeme Gordon, head of sales. “Our clients can expect IQumulate to support their business in several ways, providing an understanding of what premium funding solutions are available and how IQumulate can spread the cost of insurance and help borrowers get the right level of insurance cover to free up their cash flow for other expenses or business growth opportunities. Premium funding is often considered a tool for those who simply cannot afford to pay their premiums in full. While this is certainly a significant driver for many, it is also successfully used by profitable companies who use premium funding to manage their cash flows more wisely or better manage their liquidity.”
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