Empty chairs on the Blackmont Capital equity desk got filled on Monday, as the investment dealer rolled out four new hires and a number of promotions.
The independent brokerage house, owned by money manager CI Financial, filled spots that came open last week after a series of departures, some of which were voluntary. In updating staff on the moves, Blackmont CEO Bruce Kagan said in an e-mail: "Before I walk through each announcement, I'd like to reiterate that Blackmont and CI remain committed to building out our capital markets business."
The promotions see André Brosseau, who has been running the capital markets side of the business on an interim basis since the departure of Kevin Dalton, take on the formal title of chairman of Quebec capital markets, a rain-making role.
On the equity desk, Jeff White is interim head of trading, after the departure last week of Matt Skipp.
The new arrivals include two professionals joining Blackmont's Calgary office; the energy sector has traditionally been fertile ground for independent dealers.
Tom Stan joined the investment banking ranks in another rain-maker role that's meant to capitalize on his executive experience in the oil patch. He is the former CEO of Canadian Phoenix Resources Corp., Sound Energy Trust and Total Energy, and CFO at Navigo Energy.
On the research side, Blackmont hired Gord Currie away from Wolverton Securities. The oil and gas analyst has 29 years of experience in the sector, including executive stints in the industry at NAL Oil and Gas Trust and Easton Drilling Fund.
The equity desk in Toronto has two new members, both of whom will be selling stock stories to clients.
Rob Clark joined the sales desk after a sting at M Partners and prior to that, Paradigm Capital. And Rahim Kassim-Lakha came over after working at National Bank Financial, MGI Securities, GMP Securities and a mutual fund company.
Andrew Willis