Chris Blunt, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of F&G Annuities & Life, Inc., an insurer serving retail annuity, life, and institutional clients, will retire to focus on his roles as a Director of F&G and CEO of subsidiary Peak Altitude Equity, LLC.
As a result, Conor Murphy, current President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will assume a broader role as CEO and President. Both appointments are effective June 30th, 2026.
Additionally, F&G has appointed Michael Bailey as Executive Vice President (EVP), CFO, effective August 3rd, 2026, and Mark Wiltse, the current Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as Interim CFO until August 3rd, 2026.
William P. Foley, II, Chairman, F&G’s Board of Directors, said, “Chris Blunt has been a transformative leader, having set and executed a diversified growth strategy that saw F&G nearly triple its assets under management since joining in 2019.
“Chris’ strategy focused on diversifying F&G’s products and distribution and expanding into capital-light businesses, including accretive flow reinsurance and the owned distribution strategy. Going forward, Chris will focus on leading the formal process to explore strategic alternatives for Peak Altitude to capture its significant growth opportunities and unlock that value for F&G’s shareholders.”
Foley added, “I am also pleased that Conor Murphy will transition to the role of CEO and President and continue to execute the strategic plan that Chris has initiated. Conor’s extensive experience across the insurance industry in both the US and internationally has been evident in the impact that he has made since joining the Company last year.
“Importantly, F&G is at an inflection point as the business further transitions into a more fee-based, higher margin and less capital-intensive business, which will generate steady long-term earnings growth and future enhanced returns. We believe this will have a marked impact on the Company’s valuation over time and see Conor as the right leader as we embark on the next stage of growth and value creation for our shareholders.”
Since 2019, Blunt has served as F&G’s CEO, after 34 years in a range of insurance, investment management and wealth management roles. Moving forward, in his other roles, Blunt will focus on leading the formal process to explore strategic alternatives for Peak Altitude to drive business growth and maximise value to F&G.
Before joining F&G, he served as CEO of Blackstone Insurance Solutions, after nearly 13 years at New York Life in a variety of executive leadership roles. Blunt currently serves as Vice Chairman of the YMCA Retirement Fund and is the Chairman of LL Global (LIMRA and LOMA) Board of Directors.
Blunt said, “Having led F&G over the last seven years through a period of rapid growth and transformative change, I have a true appreciation for what a privilege it has been to serve this great Company, and I would like to thank our team for their extraordinary efforts. I have also valued the support of Bill Foley, the Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Board of Directors and the F&G Board of Directors.
“I believe now is the right time for this transition and would like to thank Conor for his partnership and counsel. Conor is a trusted and highly experienced business partner who has made a tremendous impact since joining the Company and is well-positioned to take F&G forward for future growth and success. Additionally, I would like to welcome Mike Bailey to F&G. He is an outstanding addition to the team.”
Murphy joined F&G in April 2025 as CFO, and has 38 years of extensive experience, including a variety of executive roles at leading insurance companies in both the US and abroad. Prior to F&G, he served three years as President and CEO of Resolution Life US.
Murphy added, “I am honoured to take on this expanded role and have tremendous appreciation for everything that Chris has done to lead the Company. I look forward to continuing the momentum that we have built to drive growth in assets under management with attractive and stable liabilities. We are rapidly transforming into a more fee-based, higher margin and less capital-intensive business, coupled with disciplined growth in our spread-based products. This strategic shift is expected to provide strong cash generation, deliver higher returns and create long-term shareholder value in future years.”
He continued, “I am also very excited to have Mike Bailey join the F&G executive team. Mike is a highly accomplished executive with deep financial expertise and significant experience in the life and annuity insurance industry. He is well-suited to oversee our financial management as well as helping to guide our business and strategic capital allocation as we continue to focus on delivering long-term shareholder value. I would also like to thank Mark Wiltse for stepping in as Interim CFO. Mark brings deep financial management and operational expertise to guide our strong finance organisation during the transition period.”
In his new role, Bailey will report to Murphy. He has 27 years of extensive actuarial and financial experience in the life and annuity industry, having most recently served as the Retail CFO of Corebridge Financial, Inc.
Bailey has spent 13 years at Corebridge and AIG, holding senior leadership positions both in the US and internationally, serving as CFO of Global Life & Health and Chief Finance Actuary of Life Insurance and Employee Benefits. Before this, he spent five years as Vice President and Actuary at MetLife, and spent the first nine years of his career as a Consulting Actuary at Milliman, Inc.
Wiltse joined F&G in 2016 as Vice President, Finance, and has served as SVP, Chief Accounting Officer since May 2020. He has over 30 years of accounting experience in the insurance and financial services industries.
Before this, Wiltse served as SVP, CFO at Accordia Life, and has held multiple senior finance positions at Aviva USA, CUNA Mutual Group and Nationwide Financial.
