John Stoneman

Vice President, Life, Benefits and Wealth

I’m John Stoneman, Vice President of Life, Benefits & Wealth at Axis Insurance. I advise Canada’s most driven business owners, executives, and families on how to preserve capital and transfer wealth with precision. Taking a bespoke approach to insurance planning, I work closely with clients to develop a deep understanding of their goals and priorities, designing strategies that align with corporate and estate planning, shareholder agreements, and multi-generational objectives.

I began my career after graduating from Queen’s University in 2011, joining a national advisory development program within a leading Canadian insurance company. In 2013, I transitioned to Kearns Edgewater Financial Services, one of Toronto’s premier boutique advisory firms, where I gained firsthand insight into the needs of Canadian entrepreneurs and professional families. As a Partner, I developed a practical understanding of the pressures and opportunities business owners face, particularly during periods of growth, transition, and succession. This experience continues to shape my counsel today.

At Axis, I lead engagements where insurance intersects with corporate finance and estate planning. I collaborate closely with accountants, lawyers, and investment professionals to design solutions that remain resilient through business cycles, market changes, ownership transitions, and family succession. My work centers on shareholder and buy/sell funding, key person and executive protection, corporate health and benefits architecture, and liquidity planning for intergenerational wealth transfers. Clients value my collaborative approach, commercial judgment, and ability to simplify important decisions without sacrificing technical rigor or transparency. I support families and enterprises across Canada, with a primary focus in Ontario and British Columbia.

I am active in my community, helping organize the TK Cup in support of Tennis Canada and emerging athletes transitioning into professional tennis. Outside the office, I can often be found on the tennis court, cooking for friends and family, or exploring the world of wine with the same curiosity and eye for value that I bring to my client work.