Verecan bulks up its leadership as it chases acquisitions and cross-border growth
Jim Andrews, most recently president and chief executive of CWB Wealth, has joined independent portfolio manager Verecan Capital Management Inc. as chief financial officer, taking a senior role at a firm now pursuing acquisitions and cross-border growth.
According to Verecan, Andrews started on July 20.
The firm said his mandate runs across its growth strategy, covering acquisitions, advisor relationships, strategic partnerships, and approaches to independent firms weighing their next step.
His hiring follows the appointment of Emily Dunn as chief operating officer.
Verecan cast both moves as part of a leadership build-out tied to expanding its reach beyond its original Canadian base.
“I’ve known [him] for a few years and hoped that one day we would get this chance to work together,” said Colin White, chief executive of Verecan Group of Companies.
White added that Andrews “understands this industry and he sees the opportunity in what we are building.”
Andrews frames the switch from a bank-owned wealth arm to an independent shop as a deliberate one.
“This year I had the chance to choose what came next,” he wrote on LinkedIn, adding that the experience reinforced a view he holds strongly: “culture matters, and so does structure. The best firms need both.”
In the announcement, Andrews said he saw much of what he considers strong wealth management already in place at Verecan, and pointed to its client focus and staff as reasons for joining.
Verecan launched in 2023 as a national portfolio management firm, per the company, and expanded in 2025 to serve US-based clients and clients with cross-border concerns.
The firm said the recent appointments reflect continued investment in the people and relationships needed to support its growth.
Dan LeBlanc, founding partner and chief treasury officer of Verecan Group of Companies, will keep his role in the firm’s financial stewardship, according to the release.
Andrews will work primarily out of Verecan’s Burlington, Ontario office.
