November 17, 2016 – Kevan Cowan has been selected by the Board of the Capital Markets Authority Implementation Organization (CMAIO) to be the initial Chief Regulator of the future Capital Markets Regulatory Authority (CMRA). As Chief Regulator, Mr. Cowan will also be the Chief Executive Officer of the Regulatory Division of the CMRA. An acknowledged leader in capital markets, Mr. Cowan is the former President of TSX Markets and the TSX Venture Exchange. He is also well-versed in corporate and securities law, having been a partner at a major national Canadian law firm.
“Kevan’s appointment is a significant milestone for this initiative,” says Board Chair Bill Black. “We’re delighted to welcome him as the Chief Regulator, given his depth of knowledge and expertise. In particular, his venture capital work while based in Western Canada, for companies across the country, combined with his experience on a national level, gives him a broad understanding of Canada’s capital markets, including small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, his successful operational and strategic leadership skills, along with his evident enthusiasm and commitment to this project, prepare him to be an outstanding leader for the CMRA.”
“I’m so pleased to be in a position that will engage my passion to enhance capital markets, which has been the hallmark of my career,” says Mr. Cowan. “It’s an exciting opportunity for me to apply my knowledge and experience to help build our vision of a cooperative and highly effective capital markets regulator.”
Pending the creation of the CMRA and his formal appointment as Chief Regulator, Mr. Cowan will serve as CEO of the CMAIO. He will assume this role on November 21, 2016.
Further, the CMAIO will shortly select a regionally diverse executive management team from the regulatory organizations of the Participating Jurisdictions.
The CMAIO (www.cmaio.ca) was incorporated on behalf of the Participating Jurisdictions (British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon and Canada) in July 2015 as an interim body. Its purpose is to assist in the transition to and implementation of the CMRA.