Qtrade Financial Group Announces Change in Executive Leadership

Qtrade Co-Chair Bill Packham named interim CEO

VANCOUVER, Dec. 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Qtrade Financial Group ("Qtrade") announced today that, effective January 16, 2015, Scott Gibner, Qtrade CEO and Joe Perrin, Qtrade President & COO will be leaving Qtrade. The Board of Directors has named Bill Packham, the Co-Chair of the Qtrade Board, as interim CEO, pending the appointment of a permanent CEO.

Since it was founded in 1999, Qtrade has grown into a dynamic and successful wealth management firm, thanks to the leadership of Mr. Gibner and Mr. Perrin. "On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank them for their vision, inspiration and dedication to Qtrade," said John Sibley, Qtrade Board Co-Chair and director. "We wish them both great success in their future endeavours."

Mr. Packham has served as the Co-Chair of Qtrade's Board of Directors since the completion of the arrangement transaction between Qtrade and Desjardins Group in April 2013. He is also Executive Managing Director, Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, Desjardins Group.  Mr. Packham is a seasoned business executive, having held a variety of senior positions in the wealth management and financial services sectors in Canada.  He has served as president, CEO and / or chairman as well a director of Rockwater Capital Corporation, Merrill Lynch Canada, Midland Walwyn Capital, Blackmont Capital and Financial Concept Group. Mr. Packham is also past Chairman of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA).

"Qtrade's management team and employees will continue to drive growth for the organization by implementing our long-term strategic plans," says Mr. Packham. "I look forward to working closely with them to further develop and optimize our business across Canada.  This is a strong team with the depth of experience to ensure a smooth transition and continued success."

About Qtrade Financial Group

Qtrade Financial Group provides comprehensive brokerage and wealth management platforms, services and solutions to the retail public as well as the customers of hundreds of financial institutions across Canada. Since 1999, Qtrade has been dedicated to providing its financial institution partners with a single source for market-leading wealth management products and services including: online, full-service and institutional brokerage services, mutual fund dealer services, insurance dealer services, portfolio management, discretionary money management services and proprietary managed money solutions.  For more information, visit www.qtrade.ca/.

SOURCE: Qtrade Financial Group

Information (for journalists only): Ron Cann, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Qtrade Financial Group, T: 778.331.2056, E: [email protected]