ETF provider appoints respected industry veteran to lead next chapter
Just over four months after announcing the retirement of its former longtime CEO, Horizons ETFs has named its next chief executive.
The company’s board of directors has announced that effective May 1, Rohit Mehta will be stepping up as its president and CEO. He will also occupy a seat among the board of directors.
"Rohit brings extensive and diverse experience in the investment fund, wealth and asset management sectors, as well as a record of demonstrated success to Horizons ETFs," Thomas Park, director of Horizons ETFs and Co-CEO of Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA), said in a statement.
During his career in the Canadian investment fund and asset management space, which has spanned more than two decades, Mehta has proven himself as a leader in product innovation and leading business units’ growth.
He’s served in a variety of senior leadership roles at leading Canadian asset management firms, and was instrumental in developing industry in Canadian firsts that answered investors’ evolving needs.
Most recently, he was SVP, head of Distribution, Guardian Retail Asset Management at Guardian Capital LP; during that time, the firm built an ETF platform, modernized its mutual-fund offerings, and launched a first-of-its-kind suite of retirement solutions.
Prior to that, he was EVP, head of Marketing, Produce and Data Analytics at CI Financial, where he oversaw the launch of many of the firm’s most successful fund, including its liquid-alts business.
During his time as president of First Asset, the firm grew from $3 billion to a $10-billion business.
"Horizons ETFs has always been uniquely dedicated to providing Canadians with diverse solutions that suit every investor need, level of investor experience and investment objective," Mehta said. “Today's market headwinds mean Canadian advisors and investors need the commitment to product excellence, innovation and accessibility for which Horizons ETFs is renowned – a commitment that I share.”
In November, Horizons announced former CEO Steve Hawkins was stepping down after a successful 15-year career at the firm. Jasmit Bhandal, who’s been serving as the interim CEO, will continue as COO and a director.
“Jasmit's performance as interim CEO and leadership as COO was, and continues to be, of critical importance to Horizons ETFs,” Park said. “Her commitment to our organization and to the Canadian investment community we serve allowed us to grow into a uniquely positioned leader that is ready for what lies ahead.”
