The Association for Financial Professionals of Canada today announced that it has appointed Robert Horton its new executive director.

A senior professional with more than 30 years’ experience in treasury, finance and banking, Horton will lead AFP Canada’s continued expansion as the source of education, networking and information for Canada’s treasury and finance professionals.

“We are very pleased to have Rob Horton with his experience and reputation in the financial community leading the efforts to continue to grow AFP of Canada as a resource on a broad range of finance issues,” said Peter Copestake, senior vp & treasurer, Manulife Financial Corp. and chairman of both AFP Canada and the Society of Canadian Treasurers. “AFP Canada was established to serve as a strong professional, educational and networking resource and Rob will help AFP to grow and serve the needs of Canadian treasurers and finance professionals who are responsible for these issues within their organizations.”

AFP Canada offers a wide range of educational and information resources, including professional development and online education and a range of peer and networking tools, and is affiliated with the Society of Canadian Treasurers, a networking organization for senior treasury professionals within Canada’s largest corporations. Members also have access to the full range of products and services offered by AFP, including its annual conference, research, publications and educational resources.

AFP’s certification program, the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP), is globally recognized as the industry standard for treasury and a requirement for a changing profession.
Horton joins the AFP Canada after a distinguished career in treasury and banking. Most recently, he was senior vp, treasury management and trade for the Royal Bank of Canada, where he was responsible for general management, overall strategic direction and growth of the cash management and trade divisions. Previously he held senior positions at the Royal Bank in strategic initiatives, strategy and business development, residential mortgages and served as the senior manager, finance and treasury for the Royal Bank Mortgage Corp.

Prior to joining the Royal Trust in 1990, Horton was a senior auditor and senior financial analyst with the Bank of Montreal. He began his career at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. and later held audit positions at KPMG and Deloitte & Touche. Horton is a graduate of Carleton University, Ottawa and earned a CA from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.