SLC Management Leadership Update for Public Fixed Income

Plan sponsors may wish to consider whether this investment news has any implications for the investment options available within their plans. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada purchases units of the funds listed below, which are established as segregated funds in accordance with the Insurance Companies Act (Canada).

On March 31, 2025, Doug Gardiner, Portfolio Manager (PM) and Head of Public Fixed Income at SLC Management (SLC), retired. Gardiner was a co-PM for SLC Management Core Plus Bond, SLC Long Core Plus Bond, and SLC Long Corporate Bond funds on the core platform.

Gardiner joined Sun Life in 2001 and became the Head of Canadian and U.K. Public Fixed Income teams in 2007. Upon the launch of SLC in 2014, he became PM, Public Fixed Income and Derivatives.

With Gardiner’s retirement, Marc Hurley and Randall Malcolm, PMs Public Fixed Income, will co-lead the public fixed income team. Malcolm will remain as lead PM on the strategies that Gardiner co-managed, providing experience and continuity. Malcolm is also supported by PM’s Melissa Boulrice and Trevor Forbes.

SLC has indicated there will be no changes to the investment strategy, processes, or fund management. 

Sun Life GRS Investment Solutions’ view

This was a planned leadership transition and SLC is well-prepared for it. While Gardiner’s experience and leadership will be missed, there is sufficient depth of experience within SLC to mitigate the impact of Gardiner’s departure. Malcolm has over 25 years of experience in capital markets, managing fixed income and credit strategies. Hurley has over 20 years of investment experience. The Sun Life GRS Investment Solutions team will continue to monitor this leadership transition and provide updates as necessary.

Questions?

Please contact your Sun Life Group Retirement Services representative (In Quebec, registered as a Group annuity plans advisor).