Mackenzie Financial Corp. has formed Mackenzie Global Advisors to centralize sales and client service focus on the institutional investment marketplace, the company said Friday.

“While Mackenzie Investments has been active in the institutional business for nearly 40 years, over the past few years our institutional assets under management have grown dramatically,” says Charles Sims, president and CEO of Mackenzie Financial Corp.

Mackenzie acquired Cundill Investment Research Ltd. in 2006 and of Howson Tattersall Investment Counsel Ltd. in 2008.

“Consolidating our sales and service for the institutional businesses through Mackenzie Global Advisors will solidify our client relationships on a single service platform and relationship model and allow clients increased flexibility and more selection of proven investment solutions”, Sims said.

Mackenzie says the new division offers an extensive range of investment strategies to meet the diverse investment objectives of pension plan sponsors, foundations, trusts and other institutional investors.

In addition to the Cundill and Howson Tattersall investment teams, Mackenzie Global Advisors is able to draw on the extensive capabilities of the investment management teams at Mackenzie. Each team operates with a distinct philosophy and approach; collectively they provide access to nearly every asset class, geographical area and investment style.

“This depth and breadth of investment talent enables us to provide our clients with fully customized strategies. We plan to continue to expand our presence in the institutional marketplace in North America,” said Sims.

Mackenzie Investments has $21.5 billion in institutional assets under management as of August 31, 2009, with offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

IE