Barclays Capital has appointed two senior executives in Canada, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC said Friday.

Michael Wilson, a former federal finance minister, joins Barclays Capital, Canada as chairman and Bruce Rothney has been appointed Head of Barclays Capital, Canada. Wilson and Rothney will be based in Toronto.

Commenting on the hires Jerry del Missier, president, Barclays Capital said, “Michael and Bruce bring a unique combination of private and public sector experience to our Canadian franchise. Their leadership, management, client coverage and transaction experience will be of tremendous value to our clients and to our growing Canadian business.”

Wilson will be responsible for managing Barclays Capital’s client relationships in Canada. Most recently, he was Ambassador of Canada to the United States from 2006 to 2009. Prior to this position, Wilson was chairman of UBS Canada overseeing all UBS operations in Canada, which included the investment bank, pension fund management and wealth management businesses. Before joining UBS, Wilson held senior positions at RBC Financial Group and RBC Dominion Securities. Wilson was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1979. In 1984, he was appointed Minister of Finance and remained in that position until 1991 when he became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade.

Rothney will be responsible for broadening the Canadian franchise and the management of various business lines in the region. He joins Barclays Capital with over 20 years of investment banking experience. Most recently, Rothney served as deputy chairman of RBC Capital Markets. He joined RBC Financial Group in 1991 in the equity capital markets group, and in 1992 co-founded RBC’s communication and technology practice. In 1999, Rothney moved to New York to manage RBC’s U.S. corporate and investment banking division and in 2000 was appointed global head of corporate finance and a senior vice president of RBC Financial Group. From 2001 to 2004 he held the position of global head of investment banking, RBC Capital Markets.

Barclays Capital in Canada has offices in Toronto and Calgary, providing investment products and services to corporate, government and institutional clients.

Wilson and Rothney will partner with investment banking and senior relationship management teams led respectively by Tim Kitchen, managing director and head of investment banking, Canada and Sandra Godard, managing director and senior relationship manager, distribution.

IE