Alts fund firm taps BMO's former head of ETFs

An Alberta-based alternative investment fund provider has engaged BMO Global Asset Management’s former ETFs leader several months after his high-profile departure from the Big Six bank unit.

In a press release Friday, Accelerate Financial Technologies announced its partnership with Kevin Gopaul and his newly formed entity, ETF Solutions Inc.

“ETF Solutions Inc. will act as a strategic advisor to Accelerate and help shape its exciting next phase of growth,” the statement said.

With a career encompassing 25 years Canadian ETF industry, Gopaul has cemented himself as one of the leading voices in the space.

Read more: A voice for ETFs

Most recently, he was president and chief commercial officer of BMO ETFs and BMO Global Asset Management, a post he held for 14 years and stepped down from in August last year. Taking the reins from Gopaul was Sara Petrcich, who now leads BMO GAM’s ETF & Structured Solutions team.

Before his stint at BMO, he was principal and portfolio manager at Barclays Global Investors Canada where he oversaw the management of ETF and institutional mandates.

"I'm delighted to have an opportunity to work with the experienced and passionate team at Accelerate," Gopaul was quoted to say in the statement from Accelerate. “The number of investors exploring alternative investments continues to grow and Accelerate is poised to help investors in their journey.”

Read more: How betting on people has paid off for Kevin Gopaul

"For more than a decade, Kevin has been the face of the Canadian ETF industry, leading BMO ETFs from zero to $95 billion of assets under management," Accelerate’s CEO and chief investment officer Julian Klymochko said.

"Kevin's proven track record, industry leadership, and unparalleled expertise is an invaluable asset as Accelerate charts its course to become the pre-eminent provider of alternative ETFs and portfolio diversification solutions in Canada."

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