We’re learning about Andrew Abley at Common Wealth.
Where in Canada are you based?
Toronto, Ontario
Please introduce yourself.
I’m the Director of Sales at Common Wealth Retirement. I’ve been with the company for
about five years, helping to launch and grow the business. Prior to this role, I worked in
technology sales and, earlier in my career, in retail and wealth banking in the UK.
What do you enjoy most about working with Benefits Alliance advisors & members?
I appreciate that many Benefits Alliance advisors, particularly those from smaller firms,
are more deeply engaged in the full lifecycle of the client experience. They tend to build
stronger relationships with their clients and focus on delivering quality outcomes rather
than just scaling volume. This relationship-driven approach aligns well with our mission of improving retirement outcomes.
What is your favourite part of your role?
I’m a people person, so I really enjoy working with a wide variety of interesting
individuals—advisors, sponsors, and members. My favourite part of the role is delivering
education. Helping raise someone’s financial literacy with the hope that it will positively
impact their retirement outcome is incredibly rewarding.
How do you define success?
Success in my role means engaging an ever-growing base of advisors, helping them
either enter the group retirement space or expand their business within it. Ultimately, it’s
about increasing access to group retirement plans, which leads to more Canadians
saving for retirement.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role or in this industry?
A significant challenge is that many relationship owners in the group retirement savings
industry come from an insurance background and may lack deep expertise in group
retirement savings. As a result, GRS often doesn’t receive the same level of attention as
insurance products. It requires ongoing effort to elevate the knowledge, focus, and
prioritization of GRS within the advisory community.
How do you manage work/life balance?
It’s always a work in progress. As a parent, I prioritize spending quality time with my son. I
try to structure my work around his schedule, making the most of remote work flexibility. I
also aim to set clear boundaries, knowing that work will always be there, but family time is precious and limited.
What books/resources do you recommend that every business person should check out?
One book that had a big impact on me is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s particularly
useful for busy professionals trying to balance work, health, and personal goals.
What advice would you give to people who want to join this industry?
Get in early—this is a booming industry. Group retirement savings is poised for massive
growth. Many advisors have already saturated the insurance market, while GRS remains
relatively untapped.
If your friends/family/colleagues were to give you an award, what would it be for?
Probably for swearing! As a Brit, swearing is a natural part of my descriptive language. I try to keep it in check, but it would be a contender for my unofficial award.
If someone would make a documentary about you, what would be the title?
We had a bit of fun with this one and used AI to help inspire the title “Educate, Elevate,
Expletive” or “A Few Good Swears”
The Benefits Alliance Member Spotlight showcases our members across Canada who provide custom solutions for their clients’ Employee Benefits and Group Retirement.