Fitch Ratings has appointed a new head of its Canadian operations, naming veteran banker, Andrew Smitiuch, as senior director and Canadian business head.

The rating agency said that Smitiuch, who is based in Toronto and reports to managing director, Douglas Murray, will lead all aspects of its business and relationship management efforts in Canada.

Smitiuch has spent most of his career with RBC Capital Markets in Toronto as a managing director responsible for senior corporate relationships.

“Fitch has experienced growth in Canada over the past few years and we expect this momentum to continue under Andrew’s leadership,” said Murray.

At RBC, Smitiuch sourced and executed transactions for companies across diversified sectors, Fitch says, noting that he structured Canadian, cross border and global transactions including IPOs, equity, bond, structured finance and corporate debt offerings.In addition to RBC, he has also worked at John Labatt and Allstate Insurance.