Briefly:

Previous Brieflies this week: | MON | TUE | WED | <ahref=”” title=””>THU |

(August 24, 2006) Altamira has appointed Howson Tattersall Investment Counsel as portfolio manager of the Altamira Canadian Value Fund and Altamira Global Value Fund.

“By adding the expertise and experience of the Howson Tattersall team, we have solidified our commitment to providing Altamira clients with the best money managers in the business,” said James Whitman, senior vice-president of sales and service at Altamira. “Howson Tattersall have been consistent investment management leaders and will add great diversification to both our Managed Portfolio Service and individual product lineup.”

The two funds are considered “key components” of Altamira’s managed-portfolio service. The combined assets of the two mandates are $145 million. Howson Tattersall takes charge of the funds effective November 1, 2006.

• • •

RBC Insurance opens Beijing office

(August 24, 2006) RBC Insurance has announced the opening of a representative office in Beijing, which will allow the firm to coordinate with local regulators and conduct market research before actually starting to sell in that market.

“This is the first step for RBC Insurance in entering the Chinese market,” said Neil Skelding, president and CEO, RBC Insurance. “It is part of a larger commitment on our part to further strengthen our ties and cooperation with China’s governmental regulatory authorities and insurance companies.”

Approval for the office was obtained in June. RBC has offered financial services in China since 1954 and has branches in Beijing and Hong Kong.

• • •

Sun Life names new executives

(August 24, 2006) Sun Life Financial has announced a handful of appointments to its executive team, naming Richard P. McKenney as executive vice-president and CFO, Stephan Rajotte as president, Sun Life Financial Asia, and Dean Connor as executive vice-president.

“We are delighted that individuals of the high calibre of Rick, Stephan, and Dean will be joining Sun Life’s senior executive team,” said Donald A. Stewart, CEO of Sun Life Financial. “They will bring additional strength to our existing team of skilled and seasoned senior executives, and I am confident they will make significant contributions to meeting our business objectives internationally.”

McKenney will not assume the role of CFO until 2007, when Paul Derksen retires from that post. McKenney comes to Sun Life from Genworth Financial, where he served as senior vice-president and CFO.

Rajotte will be based in Hong Kong and will be responsible for Sun Life’s operations there, as well as in mainland China, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. Most recently, he served as senior vice-president and managing director, Asia Pacific region, for MetLife International.

Connor will oversee Sun Life’s United Kingdom and reinsurance businesses, international expansion, and specific corporate functions, including medical and underwriting. Connor was most recently president, Americas, for Mercer Human Resources Consulting.

• • •

Hesperian shakes up exec suite

(August 24, 2006) Hesperian Capital Management has restructured its management team, naming new personnel to key roles.

William Koenig has been appointed CIO of Hesperian and will oversee all investment activities and decisions. He has worked at the firm since 2003 and currently serves as vice-president and Portfolio Manager.

Carl Forman has been named as COO and will be responsible for running the non-investment side of the business. He has been with Hesperian since 2002 and was appointed CFO in 2005.

Randal Oliver, has been named chairman of the board and will continue to provide investment advice and research.

• • •

(08/24/06)