Western Financial Group today announced the appointment of Jim Dinning as chairman of its board of directors. Dinning replaces James Robb, who will have a continuing role in corporate governance of the firm and its subsidiaries.

“Jim knows the company and its business well, having served as vice chairman of the board,” said Scott Tannas, president and CEO, in a release. “He is a visionary business leader and a westerner, and understands the opportunities the West presents.”

“This is an exciting new challenge and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move Western Financial Group to center stage of western Canada’s financial services sector,” said Dinning.

In addition, Western Financial Group announced that Bill Yuill has been appointed to the board of directors. Yuill is a western entrepreneur who has successfully consolidated small companies into larger, more competitive entities in both the cable and broadcast sectors in Western Canada.

Western Financial Group provides customers with insurance, investment and banking services through its WFG Agency Network, Bank West and The Western Mutual Fund Company.