TMX Group Inc. has named Kevan Cowan as president, TSX Markets and group head of equities.

Cowan will continue as president of TSX Venture Exchange. He will report to TMX Group CEO Thomas Kloet.

“We are delighted to announce today that Kevan will be spearheading the continued growth and development of Canada’s two national equity exchanges,” says Kloet. “He has the track record and experience to help ensure our success in taking TMX Group forward to an increased presence on the global stage.”

In his new dual role, Cowan will be responsible for the equities business of TMX Group, including trading, listings and other services offered by Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. TMX Group’s equity markets are the 7th largest in the world by market capitalization and list more resource companies than any other exchange group.

Robert Fotheringham, senior vp, equities trading, Richard Nadeau, senior vp, Toronto Stock Exchange, and the current TSX Venture management team will continue their key senior management roles in TMX Group’s equity markets and will report to Cowan.

Cowan joined the Canadian Dealing Network (CDN), the over-the-counter market previously owned by Toronto Stock Exchange, in 1997 as general counsel. In 2000, he became a vp of the Canadian Venture Exchange (CDNX) when it acquired CDN.

Following the acquisition of CDNX by TSX Inc. in 2001, Cowan was promoted to the role of vp, TSX Venture and vp, TSX Group. In 2005 and 2006 he performed a dual role as senior vp, business development, Toronto Stock Exchange and senior vp, TSX Venture Exchange. In 2007, Cowan became president of TSX Venture Exchange.

Cowan attended the University of Toronto, where he received a B.A. in 1983, and Osgoode Hall Law School, where he received a LL.B. in 1986. Upon his call to the Bar in 1988, he joined Smith Lyons, a law firm based in Toronto. He became a partner of Smith, Lyons in 1994 and practiced in the corporate and securities area, with a concentration in finance transactions.