Wellington West Named One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for Tenth Time
Since 1996

Employee-owned firm retains Best Managed company status and flourishes in adversity

WINNIPEG, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - Wellington West Holdings Inc., a privately held, employee-owned financial services firm, triumphed over hundreds of other applicants to win a 2009 Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) award. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen's School of Business.

Wellington West first won this coveted award in 1996, winning it again - for the tenth time - in 2009.

"It's an honour to win an award multiple times, but to win it in a year that has faced the challenges of the most difficult economic environment since our firm's inception, that is to be treasured," said Kish Kapoor, President, Wellington West Holdings Inc. "That we have come out of this turbulent year victorious is a tribute not only to 'management,' but also to our partners and dedicated staff. They are owners and they act like it. They make it personal, relevant and real."

"Today's marketplace is not just about the investment in the product; it is also about the investment in the people. Wellington West invests in their team to build up a strong and stable company. Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies carries this attribute and we are pleased to say Wellington West is one of this year's recipients," said John Hughes, Partner, Private Company Services group with Deloitte, a national sponsor of the Best Managed program.

Further demonstrating their commitment to an innovative and rewarding workplace, Wellington West was ranked among the Best Employers in Canada in the 2009 Hewitt Associates/Report on Business 50 Best Employers survey for their fifth consecutive year.

"We are an absolute tapestry of brilliant, outspoken, creative thinkers," said Charlie Spiring, CEO, Wellington West Holdings Inc. "We recruit and respond to people willing to put themselves on the line, think outside the box and thrive in a spirited and strong financial community. They have made us who we are today."

About Canada's Best Managed Companies

Celebrating its 17th anniversary, Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on three levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post and Queen's School of Business. For further information, visit www.canadas50best.com.

About Wellington West

The Wellington West group of companies provides full-service brokerage, financial planning, asset management and capital markets services. In over 16 years since its inception, the employee-owned Wellington West has become one of the largest and fastest-growing independent full-service wealth management firms in Canada with approximately $8.9 billion in assets under administration. Among its many corporate achievements, Wellington West has been ranked in the top quartile of the 50 Best Employers in Canada for the past five years, named one of Canada's Fastest Growing Companies in 2007, and recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for four consecutive years and a total of ten times since 1996. In addition, Wellington West ranked No. 3 in the 2008 Brokerage Report Card survey, having historically held the No. 1 spot for four of the past five years. Its Founder and CEO, Charlie Spiring, won the top honour in the professional/financial services category of the Ernst & Young 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Prairies region.

For further information: visit www.wellingtonwest.com

For further information: Media Contacts: Kish Kapoor, [phone] or [email protected]