AIMA appoints new head of Canada

The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) has appointed Claire Van Wyk-Allan as its head of Canada.

Van Wyk-Allan, who will assume her new role in April, succeeds James Burron, who left AIMA in January to set up an independent association, the Canadian Association of Alternative Strategies and Assets (CAASA).

Prior to AIMA, Van Wyk-Allan worked at RBC Global Asset Management, where she served as business development manager and advisor of channel sales.

Before joining RBC in 2013, Van Wyk-Allan worked for Arrow Capital Management, where she spent almost four years as regional manager, covering advisors across Ontario.

Van Wyk-Allan has been an active member of AIMA for almost a decade, including serving as a member of the AIMA Canada board since 2014.

Michael Burns of law firm McMillan LLP and chair of AIMA Canada, said: “I am delighted that Claire Van Wyk-Allan will be joining AIMA in Canada. [She] brings with her not just a strong knowledge of AIMA Canada, but also asset management sales and retail investor distribution experience”

He added: “Van Wyk-Allan will have the full support of AIMA’s team in New York, London and Asia Pacific to ensure that the priorities of our Canadian members are reflected in our local and global agenda.”

Commenting on her appointment, Van Wyk-Allan said: “I am excited to be joining AIMA in Canada. The organisation has made considerable strides in Canada in recent years, in terms of growing its events and membership and building a highly effective advocacy and educational programme.”

“I look forward to building on those activities going forward. My first objective will be to meet with members across Canada to ensure their priorities are reflected in our agenda.”