From the road to the sea: ICBC president to leave for BC Ferries role
BC Ferries has announced who its next president and CEO will be, and the name may be familiar to many.
Nicolas Jimenez, the current president and CEO of ICBC, will take on the role effective Mar. 6, 2023. The public auto insurer says his last day on the job at ICBC will be Feb. 3.
BC Ferries says Jimenez was chosen after “an international executive search.”
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“He is a change leader with a proven track record of success. He is customer focused with a deep commitment to financial accountability and rate affordability,” BC Ferries Board Chair Joy MacPhail said in a statement Tuesday.
The ferry company points to Jimenez’s work at ICBC, along with his experience in senior roles over the past two decades, as some of the reasons he was chosen.
The appointment comes amid a challenging time for BC Ferries, which has been plagued by staffing shortages and various service interruptions. It is also dealing with an aging fleet, which has led to some mechanical issues, in turn causing delays and cancellations.
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“Nicolas is a thoughtful, strategic leader who is committed to enhancing safety, reliability and affordability,” said MacPhail. “Nicolas Jimenez is no stranger to big challenges and I know he will bring fresh ideas, innovative solutions and a renewed focus on the customer experience.”
Jill Sharland, who has been serving as interim CEO since July, is expected to return to her role of vice president and chief financial officer at BC Ferries when Jimenez joins the company.
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“While Nicolas’ departure is a loss for ICBC, we are delighted to see him moving on to BC Ferries, where he will be leading another important public service and great organization with a rich history. We wish him nothing but success in his new role,” a statement from the ICBC Board of Directors reads, in part.
The insurer notes Jimenez joined ICBC in 2003, spending time working in various roles before he was named the president in 2018. Prior to his time at ICBC, Jimenez worked for the Canadian parliament, the Privy Council Office (Government of Canada), as well as BC Hydro and IBM.
Phil Leong will serve as the interim president and CEO of ICBC.
