Barry Cotnam is a Senior Advisor responsible for insurance for the NS Utility and Review Board. Barry joined the Board when it assumed responsibilities for the NS Insurance Review Board in October of 2008. He joined the original Board staff in August 2004 when Maritime Life Assurance Company was acquired by Manulife Financial.

Barry reviews most company applications to change rates and/or risk-classification systems, issuing information requests where the evidence presented is unclear or incomplete and preparing an advisor report with recommendations for the Board. He maintains the filing requirements and provides advice on all things related to insurance.

Barry completed his B.Sc. in Actuarial Science from the University of Western Ontario in 1986. He achieved his actuarial designations (focused in life insurance) with his FSA in 1988 and his FCIA in 1989. He enjoyed an 18-year career in life insurance before joining the NS Insurance Review Board. He became a CGA (Certified General Accountant) in 2008, and with the merger of Canada’s professional accounting associations, is now a CPA, CGA.

Barry has been a member of the Executive Committee of CARR for many years, including two years as Chair. Barry has been one of CARR’s representatives on the Statistical Plan Committee of GISA, since GISA allowed rate board representation. He has also participated on several working groups within GISA.