Kingston, Ont.-based Empire Life Investments Inc. has appointed Douglas Cooper as portfolio manager in the firm’s Canadian equities team.

Cooper will co-manage Empire Life Asset Allocation GIF, Empire Life Canadian Equity GIF, Empire Life Canadian Equity Mutual Fund and Empire Life Elite Equity GIF with Ian Hardacre, senior vice president and chief investment officer with the firm.

“[Doug] will share his deep knowledge of Canadian and global equity markets while leveraging the backgrounds and experience of the team,” says Hardacre, in a statement. “Doug follows the same conservative, value-oriented and disciplined investment style with an emphasis on downside protection that our team is known for and that has helped us preserve and build wealth for clients.”

Cooper has approximately 10 years of investment experience and more than 16 years of industry experience and has held progressive roles with Toronto-based CI Investments Inc.

His experience includes working on two award-winning funds and was most recent vice president and portfolio manager for three funds at which he researched and analyzed global and Canadian equities.