Toronto-based United Financial Corp. has announced the appointment of QVGD Investors Inc., effective Nov. 21, as subadvisor of its Canadian Equity Small-Cap Pool, included in both Optima Strategy and Private Client managed portfolios. QVGD was chosen for its successful track record, disciplined investment management and the team’s track record in Canadian small-cap management, United Financial says. “Risk is controlled, first and foremost, by owning only high-quality companies that offer better risk/reward profiles than the index. Risk management is a key part of QVGD’s process. At the end of the day, United Financial chose QVGD because it has confidence that its team can add value over time through successful stock selection,” says Garnet Anderson, chief investment strategist, United Financial. “[QVGD] follows its philosophy of quality, growth and diversification,” he says. QVGD replaces Dimensional Fund Advisors, based in California. United Financial is the investment-management subsidiary of Assante Corp.