Loring Ward International Ltd. announced the appointment of Robert Herrmann as president and CEO, and the election of independent director David Rattee as chairman of the board, effective today.

Herrmann will continue as president of the company’s Asset Management & Advisory Services division serving independent investment advisors and private investment clients. He brings 19 years of financial services industry experience to this new role as president and CEO, including having served as Managing Director of the Business Development Group at Wachovia Securities, Senior Vice President and Director of Wealth Management at Prudential Securities, and a variety of roles at Merrill Lynch’s U.S. and International Private Client Groups including financial advisor, managing principal, and regional director.

David Rattee joined Loring Ward’s board in 2005. He is also chairman, president and CEO of CIGL Holdings Ltd., as well as president and CEO of MICC Investments Ltd. Both are private investment holding companies. Rattee is an experienced public company director with an extensive background in the financial services market. In addition to CIGL Holdings Ltd. and MICC Investments Ltd., Rattee also serves as a Director on the Boards of Bank of New York Trust Co. of Canada, Northstar Aerospace Inc., Open Access Ltd., Reliable Life Insurance Company, and Old Republic Inc. Co. of Canada.

Herrmann and Rattee succeed Donald Herrema who previously held these positions for Loring Ward International Ltd. Herrema resigned to accept a position with another firm, and will be leaving Loring Ward April 30.