Toronto-based Mackenzie Financial Corp. has appointed Jim Thompson to senior vice president, team lead and portfolio manager at its Mackenzie Cundill Investment Management subsidiary.

“Jim is an experienced researcher and talented investor, trained in the deep value style. His investment experience and international exposure is a tremendous addition to round out the investment team,” said Peter Cundill, founder of the Cundill organization. “Jim will be a strong leader. He has my full support and that of each member of the investment team.”

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to add a leader with the experience and background that Jim brings to the Cundill team,” said Charles R. Sims, president and CEO of Mackenzie. “Jim has an excellent value oriented pedigree from his tenure at Southeastern.”

Thompson joined Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. in 1996 and was made a partner the following year. In 2001 he transferred to London to open a research office for Southeastern. He left the organization in 2007 to return to the United States to start his own investment firm.

“I spent time sharing ideas and analysis on value investments with Jim during his stay in London. I enjoyed his insights into equity markets, and found his value investment focus to be identical to the Cundill approach,” said James Morton, Portfolio Manager of the Mackenzie Cundill Recovery Fund and Mackenzie Cundill Emerging Markets Value Class. “I am really pleased that he has decided to take a senior role with the team and look forward to working with him.”

Thompson was previously director of research for Wilmington Capital Management and a partner with Salem Investment Counselors prior to joining Southeastern. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, from the University of North Carolina, and an master’s of business administration from the University of Virginia. He also earned a chartered financial analyst designation in 1993.