Export Development Canada (EDC) has named Pierre Gignac as acting president and CEO.

He replaces Stephen Poloz, who becomes governor of the Bank of Canada. Gignac has held several senior roles within EDC, including senior vice-president of enterprise risk management (from January 2012) and senior vice-president of insurance (from 2004). He joined the ECA as director of claims and insurance accounting in 1999.

Before his time with EDC, Gignac worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance for 14 years. He will oversee the agency’s support of Canadian exporters, along with the Minister of International Trade and the Privy Council Office until a full-time replacement for Poloz is found by the board of directors.

Linda Hohol, acting chair of the board, says: “Gignac’s deep knowledge of EDC’s business and strong relationships with key customers make him the ideal candidate to assume the interim leadership of the corporation. He brings both a steady hand to the operational fulfilment of EDC’s corporate plan and a strong leadership style that the board believes is well- suited to a smooth transition period.”