Mackenzie Financial Corp. announed today that Charles Sims will be joining the company as president and CEO, effective March 1.

In a statement, Mackenzie said Sims has extensive experience in the Canadian, U.S. and international mutual fund markets. For the past 15 years he has been employed by Franklin Resources, Inc. and predecessor companies. Franklin is a global investment organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments and is the largest publicly traded asset management company in the world.

Sims succeeds Jim Hunter, who will move to the role of chairman of the board of directors of Mackenzie Inc.

Sims joined Franklin Templeton in Toronto in 1989, and over the next eight years held a variety of leadership positions in the Canadian operation, including chief financial officer and head of sales and marketing.

He moved to the company’s California head office in 1997, where his roles included vp, Finance of the parent company and, since 2002, chief administrative officer, global distribution.

In addition to finance, sales and marketing, Sims has experience in operations, product development and strategy.

Sims started his career in 1984 in Toronto with Coopers and Lybrand. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Accountant.