Jim Westlake, group head personal and business clients (Canada) RBC Financial Group, has been appointed volunteer chairman of the board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for 2004-2005. The appointment was made today at the annual general meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Calgary.

“In the coming year, I will be leading a dedicated board of directors and staff to advance those issues and polices that are a priority for business in Canada,” said Westlake, in a release. “Our goal is to ensure that the government in Ottawa does not take the economy for granted and that it puts in place policies that keep Canada competitive and prosperous.”

“In addition to his boundless energy, huge capacity for work and exceptional communications skills, Mr. Westlake brings to the Canadian Chamber a broad understanding of all business and a great appreciation for the challenges facing business in Canada,” said Nancy Hughes Anthony, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “He will be playing a key role in the Canadian Chamber’s advocacy work over the next twelve months.”

As group head personal and business clients (Canada), Jim Westlake has responsibility for RBC Financial Group’s consumer business for clients in Canada, which includes banking, investments and insurance, as well as for insurance globally. As a member of Group Executive, he is one of six executives responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of RBC Financial Group.

Prior to his current position, Westlake was chairman, president and chief executive officer of RBC Insurance, which provides creditor, life, health, travel, home auto and reinsurance products to more than five million North American customers.

Before joining RBC in January 1995, Westlake spent 19 years with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., most recently as vice-president and chief operating officer of Canadian operations.

Westlake is currently on the Principal’s Advisory Council for the University of Toronto (Mississauga Campus) and a director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He is a past campaign chair of the United Way of Peel Region.

Westlake holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Queen’s University

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2004/20/c1278.html