title: Robert Astley
text: # Robert Astley
  
  Robert M. Astley (born 1944), a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, was the chairman of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
  
  ## Biography
  
  Astley has been a director of the CPP Investment Board since September 2006, and succeeded its Chairmen of the Board, Gail Cook-Bennett, effective October 2008.
  
  Astley is also a Director of the Bank of Montreal and chairman of its human resources and management compensation committee.
  
  Astley was formerly the president of Sun Life Financial Canada, president and CEO of Clarica Life Insurance Company, chair of Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. In 2004 he was succeeded by Kevin Dougherty. Astley is also a former Chair of Wilfrid Laurier University, a former member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, Laurier School of Business & Economics and a former Chair of the K-W Symphony.
  
  Astley graduated from the University of Manitoba with an Honours degree in Science.
  
  ## Defamation suit
  
  On May 31, 2011, the Toronto Star reported that Astley won $650,000 in a defamation suit against shareholder activist, Robert Verdun.
  
  