RBC Wealth Management has appointed Brenda Vince as head, wealth management strategy, effective Feb. 1, 2009, the wealth management unit of Royal Bank of Canada announced Tuesday.

“Brenda has been tremendously successful in building RBC Asset Management into an industry leader in Canada,” said George Lewis, group head, RBC Wealth Management, in a release. “She is the best person to lead RBC Wealth Management’s strategy.”

“With her exceptional strategic insight, client focus, experience and commitment to operational excellence, Brenda will now be a great asset to all of our wealth management businesses as we continue to execute our strategy to extend our lead in Canada, expand in the U.S. and internationally, and attract and retain experienced professionals across all of our businesses,” added Lewis.

Vince will focus on initiatives which will have impact across businesses, product lines, channels and clients.

Darrell Oswald and Patrick Keeley, co-heads of the combined discretionary wealth management business of RBC and Phillips, Hager & North (PH&N), will continue to report to Vince.

Vince’s appointment was made in conjunction with two other leadership changes.

Doug Coulter, currently president and CEO of RBC Direct Investing, will be appointed president, RBC Asset Management (RBC AM), effective Feb. 1, 2009, a position currently held by Vince. RBC Direct Investing is currently reviewing candidates for Coulters’s current position.

“Doug has what it takes to maintain and build RBC AM’s leadership among Canadian asset management companies, to continue to serve the investment needs of all of our clients and to grow our global investment capabilities,” said John Montalbano, CEO RBC Global Asset Management. “His proven ability to manage a dynamic organization in a highly competitive marketplace will be valuable as RBC Asset Management continues its growth strategy.”

Also effective Feb. 1, 2009, Damon Williams will be appointed president of Phillips Hager & North (PH&N), in addition to an expansion of his current role as head of institutional management for PH&N to include RBC AM.

“Damon has demonstrated outstanding leadership at the helm of PH&N’s institutional business,” said Montalbano, who is the current president of PH&N. “His unwavering commitment to putting clients’ interests first makes him an ideal leader of both PH&N and our combined institutional business.”

IE