Kenny Nicholls to retire as Western Financial Group’s CEO effective December 31, 2024; Grant Ostir, Chief Growth Officer, to be Appointed as New CEO
Kenny Nicholls Head Shot
Grant Ostir Head Shot
High River, Alberta, July 11, 2024 – After his remarkable 13 years at Western Financial Group and an illustrious career in financial services spanning 30 years, Kenny Nicholls, CEO, has announced his retirement. While we offer heartfelt gratitude for Kenny’s guidance and leadership, we welcome Western’s new CEO, Grant Ostir, on January 1, 2025.
“Grant’s extensive experience and proven track record in driving sales and growth strategies position him to lead our next phase of development,” said Evan Johnston, EVP, Strategy and Related Businesses at The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. “This appointment reflects our commitment to continuity and meeting our strategic objectives. We’re confident under Grant’s leadership, Western will continue to thrive and achieve new milestones.”
“It’s been a true honour to lead the team at Western during my tenure as CEO,” said Kenny. “We have built a solid foundation and commitment to care for our people, our partners, our communities and our customers, something I feel very passionate about. I am proud of our accomplishments which have seen Western being recognized as a top employer with industry leading customer satisfaction ratings. While I’ll miss our teams and the great work we’re doing, I am confident in Grant’s leadership to continue to build on our success.”
Kenny will continue his role as CEO until the end of the year, working closely with Grant to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
“We are optimistic about the future of Western. Grant’s leadership, combined with the dedication and expertise of each one of our Western team members, positions us firmly for continued success,” said Evan. “We see immense opportunities ahead and are eager to embark on this next chapter together.”
