January 13, 2021 (WINNIPEG) – The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Deacon as President and CEO of the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) effective February 1, 2021. Deacon will replace Winston Maharaj, who stepped down on October 30, 2020 after almost nine years in the role.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to welcome Richard to the WCB of Manitoba," said Michael Werier, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the WCB. "We are thrilled to have Richard join our team and lead the organization into the future. He is a strong leader with a proven track record of developing and implementing long-term strategy to drive transformation. I am confident that he will successfully support and execute our long-term vision and be a tremendous asset to the WCB."
Deacon comes to the WCB from Manulife Financial, where he has held a number of senior leadership roles over the past 12 years. Most recently, he was Vice President, Strategy & Transformation, Group Benefits. He previously held progressively senior positions in the company in the areas of research and development, strategy and communications and corporate development. Deacon has an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Science from York University.
"I am excited to join the WCB and be part of such a well-established and respected organization," said Deacon. "I look forward to working with the WCB board and its management team to continue to promote and support a safety culture and ensure excellence in service for workers and employers across Manitoba."
About the WCB
The Workers Compensation Board promotes safety and health in Manitoba workplaces and aims to help prevent and reduce the occurrence of workplace injuries and disease. Working with its partners, the WCB promotes safe and healthy workplaces, facilitates recovery and return to work, provides compassionate and supportive compensation services for workers and employers, and ensures responsible financial stewardship. For more information, visit www.wcb.mb.ca.
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