Mackenzie Financial Corp. today announced that Peter Dawkins has been hired as its chief investment officer. He begins his employment with Mackenzie in February.

Dawkins has served for over two years as managing director, institutional equity research, CIBC World Markets; senior vice president and director of institutional equity, Midland Walwyn, between 1989 and 1999; and senior vice president and director of research, from 1991 to 1998.

“Peter is an extremely important addition to our team. He has a legacy of great leadership, proven by the performance of the many individuals and teams who have thrived under his guidance,” said Fred Sturm, executive vice president and chief market strategist, Mackenzie Financial, in a news release.

Dawkins is credited with much of the recent success of CIBC World Markets’ analyst group, transforming the team into one of Canada’s highest ranked research departments. Greenwich Associates rankings, a common industry benchmark, shows that CIBC World Markets improved its standing among Canadian research departments from 7th in 1992 to 2nd in 2001, the highest ranking in the history of the firm.

In his new role Dawkins will report to Jim Hunter, Mackenzie’s president and CEO, and in February will assume executive management responsibility for Mackenzie’s investment management teams as well as investment and compliance operations and functions. Dawkins and Sturm will represent investment managers on the firm’s Executive Committee.