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==