Rockwater Capital Corp. has tapped Gerry Throop to take over the helm of its capital markets business.

Throop will be succeeding David Bird as executive vice-president, head of capital markets of First Associates Investments Inc. He has also been named executive vice-president of Toronto-based Rockwater.

Throop was previously executive vice-president and managing director, head of equities of Merrill Lynch Canada. Prior to that, he was head of equities and capital markets at Midland Walwyn. He has extensive experience within the financial services, telecommunications and consulting industries, including past positions as partner, investment banking of Gordon Capital, chief financial officer of Call Net/Sprint Canada, senior strategy consultant for Monitor Company and chief financial officer of TIE Telecommunications.

“Our capital markets group has experienced substantial revenue growth since we acquired First Associates in late 2002,” said Bill Packham, Rockwater’s president and CEO. “We are looking forward to working with Gerry and are confident that he will be able to build upon and accelerate the growth of this business unit.”

“I am very pleased to be joining the Rockwater team and heading up capital markets,” Throop said in a release. “We have a strong foundation for future growth. Our focus for the capital markets group will be on building market share and developing into one of Canada’s leading independent capital markets businesses.”