The incoming CIO takes the role less than three years after joining the firm
Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management has appointed Ben Fawcett as chief investment officer for wealth management in Canada, effective immediately, promoting a portfolio manager who joined the firm less than three years ago.
Fawcett joined Canaccord Genuity in November 2023 as vice-president and lead portfolio manager, his LinkedIn profile states.
Before that, he spent about two and a half years at Mackenzie Investments as vice-president and portfolio manager, where, according to the profile, he led a team responsible for $3bn in concentrated equity funds.
Earlier in his career, Fawcett spent 17 years at Canada Life in roles that included vice-president and lead portfolio manager for equities, where, according to the profile, he oversaw North American equity funds worth $2bn to $4bn, and senior equity analyst.
In the role, Fawcett will lead the firm's investment strategy and work to strengthen its internal investment capabilities.
The firm said that he will supply advisors with market insights, investment perspectives and portfolio construction guidance, while overseeing the investment platform, including internally managed strategies, model portfolio resources, investment tools and advisor education.
Matt Cicci, head of Canaccord Genuity's Private Client Group, said the appointment adds investment resources for advisors and clients.
Fawcett's experience positions him to help advisors navigate what Cicci called "increasingly complex markets" while preserving the independence central to the business.
The firm also said the appointment supports advisors across the country while maintaining the independence and open architecture platform it uses to define its wealth management model.
