RBC Global Asset Management grows intermediary sales team as US expansion continues

Royal Bank of Canada Global Asset Management is growing its U.S. intermediary sales team by adding two new directors as the company continues its expansion into the American wealth management market.

Denver-based Scott Martin, who was most recently private wealth consultant at Thornburg Investment Management, joins RBC GAM as director of U.S. intermediary sales for the South-Central region. Martin previously held sales leadership positions at Lord, Abbett & Co., RidgeWorth Investments, and Pioneer Investments. A former U.S. Army captain, Martin was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and an Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq. 

Boston-based Brad Havenga has joined RBC GAM as director of U.S. intermediary sales for the Northeast Region. Most recently, Havenga was director of investor relations at Pursuit Funds. He previously held sales leadership roles at Embassy Asset Management, Amundi US, Realty Capital Securities, and Columbia Threadneedle, where he specialized in the RIA, bank trust, and independent advisor markets. 

Both Martin and Havenga report to RBC GAM's Head of U.S. Intermediary Sales, Dave Eikenberg. “We are pleased to welcome Scott and Brad to our team," he said, in a statement. "Their extensive experience and proven track records in financial services will enhance our ability to expand our distribution to financial intermediaries." 

RBC GAM is looking to ramp up its U.S. business. Last year RBC Chief Executive Dave McKay told Bloomberg that the Canadian bank is willing to acquire established firms as part of its U.S. growth strategy.