Headquarters:
1453 Pelham St, Fonthill, ON, L0S 1E0
Year founded:
1994
Number of employees:
30+
Phone:
1 800 487 2993
Email:
info@thebenefitstrust.com
Website:
thebenefitstrust.com
LinkedIn:
https://ca.linkedin.com/company/the-benefits-trust
“Our focus on customization ensures our clients receive solutions that truly align with their business objectives, providing value that goes beyond traditional benefit packages”
Robert Crowder,
The Benefits Trust
THE BENEFITS TRUST
Robert J. Crowder, CLU, GBA
President
Francis Ignatz, CMA, CPA
Vice President, Finance and Administration
Clare Winstanley, BA, CEBS
Underwriter/Special Authorization Coordinator
Leadership
Robert Crowder, founder and President of The Benefits Trust, has over 30 years of experience building pension and employee benefits solutions for clients. In 1994, he founded The Benefits Trust, a leading Canadian third-party administrator, serving small- and mid-sized businesses across the country.
Thriving under Crowder’s dedication and leadership, The Benefits Trust continues to grow as a reputable benefits provider. He continues to give back to the benefits industry, regularly sharing his expertise as a speaker and educator for aspiring, ambitious, and experienced benefit advisors across Canada.
President
Robert J. Crowder, CLU, GBA
With over two decades of experience in employee benefits underwriting and analysis, Francis Ignatz infuses The Benefits Trust with valuable financial leadership and acumen. Before joining The Benefits Trust, he served as vice president at AFM Hospitality Corporation and took on the role of regional management at The Brick Warehouse, overseeing finance and administration.
A proud graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ignatz has earned both the Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations. Passionate about entrepreneurship, he offers insightful consultancy to budding businesses.
Vice President, Finance and Administration
Francis Ignatz, CMA, CPA
Following five years of collaborating with paramedical professionals and earning a bachelor’s degree in Medical Sociology from the University of Toronto, Clare Winstanley became a valued member of The Benefits Trust in 2001.
Over the years, she has honed her skills in group underwriting and plan evaluations while establishing robust connections with brokers and insurance providers. Working closely with Francis Ignatz, Winstanley plays a pivotal role in new business underwriting, determining plan costs, and managing group renewals.
Underwriter/Special Authorization Coordinator
Clare Winstanley, BA, CEBS
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Brittany Sheppard
Group Benefits Administration
With over 10 years of experience at The Benefits Trust, Brittany has achieved a leadership role in administration. From claim adjudication to finance to group implementation, she has managed to gain experience in most aspects of the company. She strives to maintain a positive work atmosphere where she and other employees can continue not only to expand their knowledge but enjoy doing it.
Group Benefits Administration
Brittany Sheppard
Robert W. Crowder
Business Development Executive
Robert W. Crowder joined The Benefits Trust in 2017. After working in multiple roles spanning claims adjudication, account management, and underwriting, Rob joined the sales team in 2021. Since then, Rob has been helping advisors and their clients design and implement creative and sustainable employee benefit plans.
Rob collaborates with professional insurance advisors to develop creative solutions for their clients, staying at the forefront of industry trends and regulations. His dedication to excellence and client satisfaction make him a valuable asset in the insurance industry.
Business Development Executive
Robert W. Crowder
The Benefits Trust distinguishes itself through a service-first philosophy and creative solutions tailored to meet small and medium-sized employers’ unique needs, a market segment often requiring customized benefit solutions rather than generic, off-the-shelf products.
The company works in partnership with independent benefits advisors across Canada, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and support to provide custom benefit plans that align with their clients’ strategic needs.
The Benefits Trust’s tailored solutions and personal approach ensure clients receive direct, personalized service that is attentive to their needs. The company recognizes that each employer has distinct goals and requirements, so it works closely with them to develop flexible and effective benefit plans.
“This focus on customization ensures our clients receive solutions that truly align with their business objectives, providing value that goes beyond traditional benefit packages,” says founder and president Robert Crowder. “We see a benefit plan as a promise between an employer and their employees, and our role is to communicate and uphold that promise.”
Its positive and happy work environment is a cornerstone of The Benefits Trust's success. The inclusive and family-like environment attracts talent and translates into better client service driven by an empowered workforce.
Benefits and Pensions Monitor named The Benefits Trust a Top Employer and a Top Benefit Provider of 2024.
Since its founding in 1994, The Benefits Trust has become a leading Canadian third-party administrator under Crowder’s leadership and with extensive experience building employee benefits solutions. Francis Ignatz, who holds both Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant designations, complements the executive team with his strong financial acumen.
“Clients can expect simplicity, ease, and quick, creative solutions when working with us”
Robert Crowder,
The Benefits Trust
Kerri Layne
Benefits Coordinator/Implementation Manager
Lindsay Gibson
Director, Sales and Business Development, Ontario
Mike Ignatz
Business Development Executive
Liane Brown
Partner
With a robust 25+ years of group benefits experience, including 8+ years with The Benefits Trust, Kerri brings a keen eye for detail and a disciplined approach to project execution.
As Project Manager, Kerri is the primary lead and works directly with client and broker advisors to meet the needs of all stakeholders and to deliver a personalized and seamless experience during the implementation cycle.
Kerri excels at driving projects through to completion and stays committed at every milestone along the way. Happy to help and just a phone call or email away!
Benefits Coordinator/Implementation Manager
Kerri Layne
Lindsay has over 17 years of experience in group benefits and third-party administration, and is a valued member of The Benefits Trust.
Extremely passionate and driven, she is always eager to help and develop group benefit plans that provide creativity, flexibility, and sustainability. She loves to build long-lasting relationships as they are the true foundation for any successful partnership.
Lindsay is a co-founder of the NGBM (National Group Benefits Meeting), one of the hosts/chairs of the monthly Advisor Breakfast Club virtual meetings (for Group Benefits Advisors), and is a proud member of the CGIB (Canadian Group Insurance Brokers).
Director, Sales and Business Development, Ontario
Lindsay Gibson
For almost twenty years, Mike Ignatz has served clients at The Benefits Trust in a number of areas, including client administration and claims adjudication, now working directly with advisors to create value-driven solutions for their clients.
Business Development Executive
Mike Ignatz
Liane Brown is committed to representing individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries and to families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Her practice concentrates on personal injury law, including accident benefits, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, occupiers’ liability, product liability and wrongful death cases.
Partner
Liane Brown
For almost twenty years, Mike Ignatz has served clients at The Benefits Trust in a number of areas, including client administration and claims adjudication, now working directly with advisors to create value-driven solutions for their clients.
Business Development Executive
Mike Ignatz
Ben Irantalab enjoys the complexities of personal injury litigation. His practice is exclusively devoted to representing clients with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe orthopedic injuries. For him, the cases that require special creativity and thinking outside the box are the most gratifying.
Partner
Ben Irantalab
The company's most important strategy in recent years has been simplifying and enhancing the client experience by making interactions as easy as possible. The team has focused on ensuring that every touchpoint, digital or personal, is intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly, recognizing early on that seamless communication across all channels is essential to meet clients’ evolving needs.
As a result, The Benefits Trust has implemented and continuously improved its digital infrastructure, including a simplified app and online platforms. These tools provide clients with flexible and convenient ways to manage their benefits, allowing them to choose the best communication channel.
Whether enhancing its digital tools, refining benefits plans, or exploring new service models, The Benefits Trust is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry.
The team centres its operations on innovation, constantly seeking new ways to improve and evolve its offerings to ensure they stay ahead of market trends and meet changing client needs. Their primary goal is to simplify processes further, making it easier for clients to manage their benefits while maintaining the exceptional level of service they have come to expect.
“Clients can expect simplicity, ease, and quick, creative solutions when working with us,” remarks Crowder. “We prioritize clear and transparent communication, consciously avoiding complex insurance jargon to ensure our clients fully understand their benefits. We aim to make the benefit process as straightforward and stress-free as possible, allowing clients to focus on what matters most to their business.”
The Benefits Trust plans to continuously refine its offerings to remain relevant and adapt to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the market.
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“We will continue to strengthen our service proposition and customer experience as a key differentiator, as we build on the momentum we have achieved to date across multiple business lines and territories,” says McLean. “Our im is to continue to grow our market relevance and strengthen our partnerships with our strategic brokers as we expand our leadership position in key sectors.
“We will also continue to invest in talent. We are committed to drawing from the broadest pools of talent, and to creating an environment that attracts and retains stellar employees. We recognise the importance of building teams that are diverse, collaborative, and innovative and are dedicated to cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture in which all our employees can thrive.”
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There is also an absence of ‘consulting speak’ and corporate red tape as Looniewell provides clients with the top-quality fundamentals of measurable results and a highly responsive team.
An example of how focused the team is on delivering the best work possible, Chan prohibited the acceptance of gifts/meals from vendors/partners to ensure there is never any potential conflict of interest.
He says, “We put our clients first and advocate for them.”
Looniewell’s rapid rise has been driven solely by organic growth, and its customer base is the result of referrals, which include organizations with over 10,000 employees to start-up operations seeking to scale.
The firm’s team of consultants have been attracted by the progressive and innovative work environment that features:
· Global Office – work up to two weeks from anywhere in the world
· Work from anywhere – not hybrid, no office, 100 percent remote
· Proprietary tools and best technology to support digital-first work
· Immediate benefits coverage from day one
· Unlimited vacation
· No corporate red tape, no hierarchy, no nonsense – staff are empowered to focus on meaningful client work and professional development
· Day-to-day Shout-outs – to award outstanding work, employees can exchange earned points for gift vouchers of up to $150
· Quarterly Stars Award – employees demonstrating core values have the chance to win $500
· Annual Hero’s Celebration – manager-nominated and peer-voted awards where outstanding employees earn a $5,000 bonus
Ben Irantalab
Partner
Ben Irantalab enjoys the complexities of personal injury litigation. His practice is exclusively devoted to representing clients with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe orthopedic injuries. For him, the cases that require special creativity and thinking outside the box are the most gratifying.
Partner
Ben Irantalab
Ben Irantalab
Partner
Ben Irantalab enjoys the complexities of personal injury litigation. His practice is exclusively devoted to representing clients with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe orthopedic injuries. For him, the cases that require special creativity and thinking outside the box are the most gratifying.
Partner
Ben Irantalab
Ben Irantalab
Partner
Liane Brown is committed to representing individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries and to families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Her practice concentrates on personal injury law, including accident benefits, motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, occupiers’ liability, product liability and wrongful death cases.
Partner
Liane Brown
THE BENEFITS TRUST