Dundee appoints independent chairman

In a statement, the company indicated that its board “believes that the appointment of an independent chairman is in the best interest of our shareholders, as it is consistent with current best governance practices and is more in line with the lead director mandate with which the board has operated over the last several years.”

Goodman will remain a director of the company, and will continue in his other roles at the firm, including as CEO of Goodman Merchant Capital Inc.

Prior to his appointment as chairman, McLeish has been the lead director of Dundee. He is currently a member of the board’s audit committee, corporate governance and nominating committee, and serves as chairman of the compensation committee. He spent 35 years in the investment business, including stints as a managing director at Newport Partners, Inc., vice chairman at Merrill Lynch Canada, Inc., and vice chairman by Midland Walwyn Capital.

Along with the changeover in the chairman’s seat, the board also announced that it has accepted the resignation of Normand Beauchamp, who has been on the board since the company was established in 1991. He is being replaced by Virginia Gambale, founder and managing partner of Azimuth Partners LLC, a strategy and advisory firm. She was also formerly a senior executive at Merrill Lynch, Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank, and has served on several other corporate boards.

“Ms. Gambale’s leadership and extensive industry experience will be extremely valuable for the company as it develops its asset management business,” it said; adding that it expects further appointments to the board.