A new executive director is taking the helm at the Toronto CFA Society to help charterholders navigate the current market challenges, the organization announced on Monday.

Peter Jarvis, former chief investment officer and executive vice-president of investments at BIMCOR has been appointed to the new position, announced Deborah Lee Chang, president of the Toronto CFA Society.

“Peter is a welcome addition. He is a CFA charterholder and brings with him a long background of financial industry management and leadership experience from many highly recognized companies,” said Lee Chang.

“His arrival is timely as we move through these challenging markets, where more than ever we as CFA charterholders have a responsibility to communicate with and for our members.”

Jarvis has 30 years experience in the financial industry, including acting as vice-president at OMERS, one of the largest pension management firms in Canada. He worked in the realms of fixed income and derivatives, alternative strategies and strategic research and investment risk management.

Prior to OMERS he managed fixed income portfolios for a large Canadian investment counselor, and earlier managed the trading desk of a Canadian brokerage firm in London, England.

“As a charterholder and an experienced investment practitioner, I understand the needs of our members,” Jarvis said.

He said the organization plans to we plan to enhance its programs with a goal of raising the professional standards of members.

“We plan to help members transition though the current economic crisis with more progressive and specialized continuing education programs that target CFA members post exam, and connect with members on a life long basis at all levels of seniority and expertise,” he said.

The society will also focus on deepening its network with professional associations and regulators who share common interests with the membership.

“2009 will present a challenging year with a new regulatory regime arising from today’s market crisis. Rebuilding consumer confidence and trust in our investment markets will be very important and very difficult,” said Jarvis. “Our challenge as a society will be to ensure that we keep members informed on regulatory developments, and assist and work together to develop programming that will help members communicate with their clients and regain trust in the market.”

Within the society, Jarvis has held positions including committee chairman, director, and president. He has also served as chairman of the CFA Institute Annual Conference Program Committee.

IE