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(June 12, 2008) Richardson Partners Financial has announced the opening of an office in Guelph, Ont., bringing the firm’s number of offices to 12, following last month’s opening in Sidney, B.C.

“Guelph has one of the premier research universities, a diverse variety of manufacturing, service and high technology enterprises and is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in Canada,” said Victor Therrien, branch manager for the Toronto, Mississauga and Guelph offices. “The opening of this new office recognizes our commitment to aligning investors with the expertise of leading investment advisor teams.”

Richardson Partners is adding new advisors for the office, welcoming Matthew Phillips, Renee Davies and David Pike to the firm.

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AGF names mortgage unit execs

(June 12, 2008) AGF Trust has announced the appointment of Maurice Forget as the executive vice-president of the firm’s mortgage products and services division.

“We are pleased to have someone of Moe’s calibre and industry expertise joining us to lead this important division within the company,” said Mario Causarano, president, AGF Trust. “We’ve experienced tremendous growth, and we recognize the importance of working with all our partners in the mortgage broker channel and financial advisor community.”

Forget is responsible for the management and ongoing development of the mortgage operations at AGF Trust Company, which currently represent almost half of the firm’s total lending assets.

The firm also named Tom Hickey as vice-president of mortgage lending. He has held the position of vice-president, operations, at MoneyConnect Inc. for the past two years.

“These appointments are part of our ongoing commitment to dedicating new resources to supporting our partners by developing products and services to meet the needs of their clients,” Causarano said.

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Great-West names Putnam head

(June 12, 2008) Great-West Lifeco has named Robert L. Reynolds as president and CEO of its U.S. subsidiary, Putnam Investments. Charles E. Haldeman, who currently holds these offices, will become chairman of the board.

Both appointments are effective July 1, 2008.

“We welcome Bob to the Putnam team,” said Haldeman. “I personally look forward to working with him as we continue positioning Putnam to exceed our clients’ expectations.”

Reynolds was vice-chairman and COO of Fidelity Investments from 2000 to 2007. He was with Fidelity in one capacity or another since 1984.

“For more than two decades, I have known Putnam as a formidable and respected investment management company and, quite frankly, a very tough competitor,” Reynolds said. “I am honoured and excited to join Putnam and lead a company that has one of the great legacies in the industry.”

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TD to manage venture capital fund

(June 12, 2008) The Ontario Venture Capital Fund has selected TD Capital Private Equity Investors to manage the new fund, which has assets in excess of $200 million.

The government-backed fund has been designed to foster innovation and investment in Ontario by enhancing long-term investment returns and contributing to the creation of a globally competitive and self-sustaining venture capital industry in the province.

The fund was spearheaded by a consortium of interests, including the provincial government, TD Bank, OMERS Capital Partners, RBC Capital Partners, Business Development Corporation and Manulife Financial.

“The Ontario Venture Capital Fund will seek to generate attractive long-term returns for its investors, including TD Bank, from a focused portfolio comprised principally of Ontario-based and Ontario-focused venture capital and growth-oriented fund investments and direct co-investments,” said Rob MacLellan, CIO of TD Bank.

(06/12/08)