Richard Partners Financial of Winnipeg has appointed Bennett MacInnis as its chief operating officer.

Prior to joining Richardson Partners, MacInnis was executive vice president of business process outsourcing at Citigroup Securities and Fund Services Canada (formerly Unisen Inc). During his 21-year career, he has served as president and CEO of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Canada and as CAO of Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., and has held senior positions within several insurance, trust, brokerage, investment management and business process outsourcing organizations.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor of arts degree in administrative and commercial studies, MacInnis earned his certified management accountant designation in 1992.

“We are very pleased to welcome Ben to our firm and offer him our full support as he guides our day-to-day operations,” said Sue Dabarno, president and CEO of Richardson Partners Financial in a release. “I am confident that his knowledge, depth of experience and successful track record in financial services will be invaluable as we continue focusing on delivering institutional power to retail clients and elevating our investment advisors’ practices.”

Dabarno was appointed CEO of the firm in September. Since the firm’s founding in 2003, it has established offices in eight cities across Canada and is quickly approaching $6 billion in assets.

“Ben’s appointment to our management team will ensure that we continue to provide our investment advisors and our clients with the high calibre of leadership they expect from us,” Dabarno said. “At the same time, his presence affords me greater opportunity to externally promote our firm and foster strategic alliances which provide enhanced value for our clients.”