The asset management division of French banking giant BNP Paribas has appointed a new executive to help grow its business in Canada.

BNP Paribas Investment Partners announced that it has appointed Rudy de Candé as head of business development in Canada. His job will be to build the firm’s Canadian business, including its sub-advisory relationships with Canadian banks, mutual fund companies and fund distributors. He will be based in Toronto and will continue to report to James Johnston, head of North American sales for the firm, who is based in New York.

“Rudy has been a valued member of our U.S. team since 2008, where he was director of business development for several important institutional channels. We are confident in Rudy’s ability to succeed and excited to have him focused on the Canadian market,” said Johnston.

Robert Harrison, president and CEO of BNP Paribas Investment Partners USA Holdings Inc. and CEO of BNP Paribas Investment Partners Canada Ltd. said, “Canada is a strategic market for our organization and Rudy’s extensive experience and established relationships will be important in helping us grow the business in this region.”

de Candé was previously director of the business development team at BNP Paribas Asset Management based in London, covering global distributors in Europe. He started his career in the retail division at Merrill Lynch in Argentina back in 1997.