Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba ceo David Schioler has announced plans to leave the organization next year.

He was named executive director of IBAM in 2005, succeeding Margaret Scurfield who retired after 17 years at the post.

Mr. Schioler’s target exit date is April 11.

The association will begin looking for his successor next year, said president Tara Chammartin,  operations manager of La Salle Insurance Services.

Mr. Schioler said he has a lot of work cut out for him in the coming year while at the same time considering his next career step.

“The great thing about working in the insurance industry is the people, and that’s why I have stayed as ceo . . . longer than initially planned.

“It is also the very thing that would keep me in insurance moving forward.”

Mr. Schioler has a legal background and served in executive roles for several Manitoba firms in the manufacturing, wholesale, retail and pharmaceutical sales and distribution industries before joining IBAM.

The association called him an industry leader who helped the organization grow five times during his tenure.

“It has been a remarkable run,” Mr. Schioler said.  “For me, it’s just time to move on to the next thing.

“IBAM is a great organization and it will continue to be so well into the future.”

Ms. Chammartin said the organization still has a lot on its plate, “from upcoming discussions with Manitoba Public Insurance and the provincial government as to broker compensation and services, to the substantial job of educating our membership with respect to the swift and massive change happening in the industry.”

She said IBAM has been working with insurance companies to ensure collaboration on technological advances in the industry.

“We are trying to get ahead of the curve in this regard, and (Mr. Schioler) has been leading the association in the process of informing Manitoba’s brokers as to what’s coming and what their options are for achieving success,” she said.